¶Here begynneth the seconde aege of the worlde durynge to Abram

Noe

THis Noe was a ryghtwys mā & foūde grace ayēst god whā Noe was fyue hō dred yere of aege he had gotē Chā. Sem. & Iapheth that tyme bi y^e cōmaūdemēt of god he began to make a shyppe. & he made it parfyte in [Page iii] an .C. yere. And the .C. yere complete / our lord god appered agayne to hym / & cōmaūded him that he with his wyf & his childern & y^e wyues of them shold entre the shyppe with all maner of bestes / & all maner of foules also. &c̄. ¶And anone the flood came / & stode aboue all hylles xv. cubyte (Vide plura gen̄ .vii^o) ¶After the flood a greate dronkenesse betyde vnto Noe. & through occasyō of that drōkesse he blessyd his two sones. Sem & Iaphet / for the faders ho­nour that they had to hym & for y^e honest shame that they couered mekely ther fader membres whan he was slepynge. & his sone Cham / for his scornynge & his vnreuerence / he cursyd. ¶And here after saynt Austyn is made / y^e fyrste mencyon of boūdage / & of noblynesse con­trary to it· For Noe sayd that Chā shold be seruaūt in bondage to Sem & Iaphet / for his vnreuerēce. Neuertheles ye shall not trowe / that all that descēded of Cham were vnnoble mē & of no power. For they began fyrst to be mygh­ty men of y^e erthe. As it is open of Nemroth & the kyng of Canaan & Asco (rum). Nor all of Sem & Iaphet were vertuous & noble & myghty mē whan almost euerche one fell in to the cryme of ydolatry / and were ofte tymes oppressed of other men. But this blessynge & this cursyng hath a respect to vertue & vyce / for y^e whiche a man is called truly a noble mā or an vnnoble man. For he that is vertuoꝰ is a noble mā & he that is vnuertuous is not noble. the same maner of wise tho that foloweth y^e faith of abrahā rathar were called his childern than y^e Iewes the whiche carnally descēded frō hym. Neuertheles they had a spyrytuall preuelege of god / for the faders merytꝭ & his blessyng. & these .iii sones oe Noe he beynge alyue after thy story of Phil [...]īs were born .xxiiii.M. & .vii.C. mē wythout wym̄en & childern. And they had on thē thre prynces Nemroth. Iactan. & Suphen.

¶How Brute was dreuen out of the lon­de / and how he helde hym in Grece.

ANd whan this myschaūce was befall all y^e people of the londe made sorowe ynough & were sore an angred. And for enche son there of they droue brute out of the lōde / & wolde not suffre hym among them. And whā he sawe that he myght not there abyde / he wē from thens in to Grece / and there he founde .vii. thousande men that were of the lygnage and kynred of Troy that were come of grete blood as the story telleth / as of men and wymmen and chyldern / the whyche were all hollde in thraldome and bondage of the kynge Pan­dras of Grece / for the dethe of Achilles that was betrayed and slayne at troy. This brute was a wonder fayre man and a stronge and a huge of his age and of gladde there and sem­blaunt / and also worthy of body / & was well beloued amonge his people. Thys kyng Pandras herde speke of his goodnes & his condicions / and anone made hym dwelle wyth hym soo that brute became wonder preuy & moche beloued with the kynge / soo that longe tyme brute dwelled with the kynge So at the laste they of Troy and brute spake togyders of kynred and of lygnage & of acquayntaunce / & there playned them vnto Brute of ther sorowe & of ther bondage / & of many other shames that the kynge Pandras had them done. And vnto brute they sayde vpon a tyme. ye be a lorde of our lygnage & a strong man & a myghty [...] ye be our capytayne & lorde / and gouernoure / & we wyll become your men / & your cōmaundemē tes doo in all maner of thynges / & brynge vs out of this wretchednesse and bondage / & we wyll fyghte with the kynge for trouthe with y^e grace of the grete god / we shal hym ouercome and we shall make you kyng of the londe and to you doo homage / and of you we shall holde euer more. Brute had tho grete pyte of theyr bōdage that they were brought ī. And preu [...]ly wente then from the kynges courte and tho them that were of Troy / wente and put them in to woodes and in to moūtaynes and them there helde. And sente vnto kynge Pandras / that he sholde gyue them leue sauely for to wē de out of the londe / for they wolde noo l [...]nger dwelle in his bondage. The kynge Pandras wexed tho sore anoyed and tho swore that he sholde slee them euerychone / and ordeyned a grete power and wente to warde them all for to fyght. But Brute and his men māly them defended and fyerfly fought and slewe all the kynges men that none of them escaped / and toke the kynge and helde hym in pryson / and ordeyned counsell bytwen them what they myghte done And some sayde that he sholde be put to dethe / and some sayde that he sholde be exi­led out of y^e londe And some sayd / that he shol­de be brēte. And tho spake a wyse kynght that was called Mempris / and sayd to Brute and to alle tho of Troy. yf kynge Pandras wolde yelde hym and haue his lyf. I counsell that he [Page] gyue vnto Brute that is our duke & our souerayne / his doughter Gennogen to a wyf / and in maryage wyth her an hōdred shyppes well arayed / and all his tresoure of golde & syluer of corne & of wyne / & as moche as we nede to haue of [...]o thyng & other. & then̄e go we out of this londe / & ordeyned vs a londe elles where. For we nenōe of our kynred that come after vs shall neuer haue peas in this londe amōge theym of Grece. For we haue slayne so many of ther knyghtes and of other frēdes that euer more warre and contake sholde be among vs Brute tho and all his folke consented well to that counseyll. And this thynge they tolde to kyng Pādras. And he for to haue his lyf graū ted as moche as they axed / and anone gaf vn­to Brute Gennogen his doughter to wyfe / & an hondred shyppes with asmoche / as them neded of all vytaylles / as afore was ordeyned Brute tho toke his wyfe and all his men / that forsoke the londe of Grece and went them vnto the see and had wynde & weder at theyr wyll and came y^e thyrde daye in to an Ile that was called Lorgers. Thys Brute anone sente of his men a londe for to espye the maner of the countree. And they founde an olde cyte all wasted and forlet that was ther in nother mā ne woman / ne no thynge dwellynge / and in the mydeell of this cyte they founde an olde tem­ple of a fayre lady that was called Dyana the goddesse. And they came ayen vnto Brute & tolde hym what they had seen and foūde. And they counselled hym to goo and doo sacrefyce vnto dame Dyana / for she was wōte to yeue answere of what euer men prayed her and na­mely vnto them that her honoured with sacrefyce. Brute wente vnto that yamge and sayd Dyana noble goddesse that all thynge haste in thy myght and power / wyndes / waters. woo­des / felde / and all thynge of the world / and all manere of beestes that theryn ben. To you I make my prayer / that ye me counseyll and tel­le / where / and in what place: I shall haue a couenable dwellynge for me and for my people and there I shal make in honour of you a well fayre temple and a noble / wherin ye shall alwaye be honoured / whā he had done his prayer. Dyana answerd in this maner Brute say­de she go euen forth thy waye ouer the see in io Frauce to warde the west / and there ye shall fynde an yle that is called Albyon / & that yle is be compassed all wyth the see / and noo man maye come ther in but it be by shyppes and in that londe were wonte to dwelle gyauntes / but now it is not soo / but all wyldernes. And that londe is destenyed and ordeyned for you and for your people.

¶How Corin became Brutes man / and how kynge Goffar was dyscomfyted.

THenne whan Brute had this answere of Dyana the goddes. Anone he lete y^e ancres wynde vp & sayled in to the hyghe see. And whan he & his men had saylled .xx. dayes and moo / they foūde fast besyed a cost of y^e see a thousande men of the lygnage & kynred of Troy. And ther souerayne & ther mayster of all was called Corin· And whan Brute wyste whens they were / he tho toke them wyth mo­che Ioye in to hys shyppes / and ladde theym forth wiht hym Thꝭ Corin there be came brutes man & to hym dyde homage. And so longe they saylled forth in the see tyll they cam vnto Gascoyne. And anone they arryued in the hauen of Lyegers & there they dwlled .viii. day­es them for to rest. & ther saylles to amēde there that it was nede. Tydynges soone came to kynge Goffar that was lorde of that lōde howe that moche people of straūge londe were arryued in to his lōde in y^e hauen of Lyegres wherfore he was sore angreged & anoyed / that they came and arryued in his londe wythout his lycence and his leue. And anone ordened hym a gret power for to dryue out brute & to destroye hym & all his people. But it was so that kyng Goffar was dyscomfyted & all his peple. And hym self fledde in to Fraūce / there for helpe & socour. And in that tyme regned in Fraunce ·xii. kynges / & an .xi. of them assembled a grete power for to helpe Goffar & for to fight ayest Brute. This Goffar dwelled with thē of fraū ce halfe a yere & more. And in the meane tyme whan Goffar was in Fraūce. Brute and his company destroyed all the londe of Gascoyne and lete take all the tresour that kyng Goffar had / & there lete brynge it all in to his shyppes And this Brute founde in that londe a fayry place and couenable / & there brute made a fayre castel and a stronge. ¶whan that this was done / kyng Goffar came from Fraunce and .xi. kynges with hym and brought wyth hym [Page ix] .xx.M. men for to fyghte with Brute and his company and Brute had but .vii.M. & .CCC men. And neuertheles whanne the two hostes mette togyder. Brute folke thorugh helpe of hymself: & of Turin his cosen: and of Corin y^e well and manly hym defended: and fought so tyll that in lytell tyme they hadde slayne of the Frensshemen two thousande & mo. Anone all that were alyue fledde awaye. And in this ba­taylle Turin Brutes cosyn was slayne. And Brute lete entere hym worthely whan he had space & leyser in the castell that he had made: & tho lete calle that same castell Toures: For by cause of the name of Turin that there was entred. And yet vnto this day there is a noble cyte that is called Toures. And kynge Goffar wyste that Turin was deed he came agayne with his men: & after yaue a stronge bataylle vnto Brute. But brute & his men were so wery for fyghtynge: that they myght noo lenger endure: but to megre hym & all his. And then Brute yede in to his castell with his men: and made the gates faste for to saue them: and for to take counsell amoage them what were best for to do. Brute and Corin gaaf counsell and ordeyned pryuely: that Corin sholde go oute & busshe him ī a wood tyll on the morne soo that in the mornynge whan that Brute sholde fy­ghte with his enemyes: thenne Corin shold come with his folke in the one syde: and slee and do all the harme that he myght. And in a mor­nynge in the dawnynge of the daye Brute wē te out of the castell: and fyersely faughte with his enmyes: and they manly deffended them. But within a lytell tyme Brute and his folke slewe .viii. hondred of kynge Goffars men. Thenne came Corin with y^e busshement and smote to grounde he & his companye all those that wolde stonde or abyde. So that the kyng Goffar & his cōpany were dyscōfyted: & faste they began to flee And brute & Corin with ther cōpany fyersely them pursewed & slewe mo of them in y^e fleynge than they dyd in y^e batayll. And ī this maner Brute had the victory. and neuertheles brute made moche sorowe for his cosyn Turī that there was slayne & other also that he haded lost of his men. That is to saye. vii· hondred and .xv. The whiche nobly he entered in the same castell of Toures / there where he had entered Turin his cosyn.

¶How Brute arryued at Totnesse in the yle thenne called Albyon / and of the bataylle that was betwixt Corin and Gogmagog.

SO whan all this was done Brute wolde no lenger there dwell / for to fyghte / nor for to lese no moo of his people. For kynge Goffars people myghte euery daye encreace / mo and moo. And Brutes lossened. And ther­fore he toke all his men and wente vnto the see and had wende and weder at theyr wyll. And the fyfth daye after they arryued in an hauen at Totnesse / and came in to the yle of Albyon And there neyther man nor woman as the story telleth they founde but Gyaūtes. And they dwelled in hylles & in caues. And Brute sawe the londe was fayre and at his lykynge. And was good also for hym and for his people / as Dyan a the goddesse hadde hym behyght. And therfore was Brute wonder gladde and lette assembled vpon a daye all his [...]ol [...]e to make a solempne sacrefyce and a grete feest in honour & reuerence of Dyana the goddesse of the whiche he hadde counseyll fyrste for to come in to this londe. And thenne whan that they hadde ther solempnyte done / as they vpon a daye sa­te at ther meete / there came in vpon them .xxx gyauntes & slewe of Brutes men .xxx. Brute and his men anone strete vp and faught with the gyauntes and slewe them euerychone excepte one that was called Gogmagog. & he was mayster of all the Gyauntes. And he was strō ger and hygher than ony of other. And Brute kepte hym for by cause that he sholde wrestyll with Corin that was Brutes mā. Fo he was greter & hygher than ony of bruces men from the gyrdelstede vp warde. ¶Gogmagog and Corin vndertoke there for to wrestell. And so togyders they wente / and wrestlyd a longe ty­me / but at the last Gogmagog Helde Corin so fast that he brake two rybbes of h [...] syde wher­fore Corin was sore angry. And there he toke Gogmagog betwixt his armes and cast hym downe vpon aroche / soo that Gogmagog brake all to peces / and soo he deyed an euell deth. And therfore the place is called vnto this day­the saute of Gogmagog. ¶And thenne after Brute yaue alle that contree vnto Corin. And there Corin called it after his name Cor­newayl [...]. And his men he called Cornewayl­les / and so sholde men of tha countree be cal­led [Page] for euermore / And in that contree dwelled Corin and hys men. And they made townes and howses / and enhabyted the londe by theyr owne wyll

¶How Brute buylded London and cal­led thys londe Brytayne / and Scotlonde Albyne / and walys Camber.

BRute and his men wente forth / and sa­we about in dyuers places / where that they myght fynde a good place and couenable that they myght make a Cyte for hym and his folke. And soo at the laste they came by a fayre Ryuer that is called Tamys and / there Bru­te began to buylde a fayre cyte / and lete calle it newe Troy / in mynde and remembraunce of the grete Troy / from the whiche place all ther lygnage was comen. And this Brute lete felle downe woodes / and lete eere and sowe londes And also lete mawe downe medowes for sustenaunce of hym and of his people. And thenne he departed the londe to theym / so that euery­ [...]he of theym had a parte / and a certayne place for to dwelle in. ¶And thenne Brute lette calle this londe Brytayne after his owne na­me and his folke he lette calle Brytons. And this Brute had goten on his wyf Gennogen thre sones / that were worthy of dedes. The fyrst was called Lotrin / the seconde Albanak and the thyrde Cambar. And brute bare crowne in the cytee of Troy .xx. yere after the tyme that the cytee was made. And there he made y^e lawes that the Brytons holde / and this brute was wonderly well beloued amonge all men. And Brutes sones also loued wonderly welle togyder· And whan Brute had sought all the londe in lengthe and also in brede he founde a londe that Ioyned to Brytayne / that was in the northe and that londe Brute yaue to Albanak his sone. And lete calle it Albanie after his name / that nowe is called Scotlonde. And Brute founde an other countree towarde the weste / and yaue that to Cambar his other so­ne / and lete calle it Cambar after his name / & now is called walys. And whan Brute hadne regned .xx. yere as before is sayd / then̄e he dey­ed in the Cyte of newe Troy.

¶How Lotrin that was Brutes sone en­tred with moche honoure / & gouerned the londe well and worthely.

AFter Brute regned Lotrī hꝭ sone / that was the seconde kynge in Brytayne. The whiche began to regne the seconde yere of Samuell. And this Lotrin was crowned kynge wyth moche solempnyte and glorye of all the londe of Brytayne. And after whan he was crowned kynge. Albanak and Cambar his two brethern wente agayne into theyr owne countree & there they lyued with moche ho­nour / & worshyp. And Lotrī theyr brother regned / & was kynge & gouerned it well & wysely for he was a good man & wonderly well belo­ued of all his londe. And it befell so that Alba­nak dwelled in his owne londe with moche honoure and worshyp. And thenne came kynge Humbar of Hunlonde with a grate power & aryued in Albyne / & wolde haue conquered the londe / & began to warre vpon kyng Albanak was slayne / the people of that londe fledde vnto Lotrin & tolde hym for he was kynge of brytayne / how that his brother was slayne / & prayed hym of his helpe and of his socour for to auenge his brothers dethe. Lotrin there anone lete assemble all the Brytons of Kente / of Do­uer in to Dere went of Norfolke and South­folke / of Keftefen / and Lyndessey. And whan they were assembled they spedde them faste towarde there enemyes for to yeue them batayll And Lotrin had sente to Cambar his brother that he sholde come vnto hym with all the po­wer that he myght make hym for to helpe / & to he dyde with a good wyll. And so they came togyders / & toke ther waye pryuely for to go and seke Humbar where they myght hym fynde. And so it befell that thys Humbar was besyde a water that was a grete Ryuer wyth hys fol­ke [Page x] / hym for to dysporte. And there came Lo­trin and Cambar his brother with all ther people sodaynly or that ony of that other wyste. And whan Humber sawe them come he was sore adradde / for as moche as his men wyst it not afore / and also they were vnarmed. And anone Humbar for dredde lepte in too the wa­ter / and drowned hym selfe / and soo he deyed / and hꝭ men were all slayne so that none of thē escaped. And therfore is that water called Hū bar / and euer more shalbe for bi cause that thꝭ kynge Humbar therin was drowned. ¶And after that Lotrin wente to his shyppes & toke there golde and syluer as moche as he founde vnto hym self. And all that other pylfre he gaf vnto other foke of the hoste. And they founde in one of the shyppes a fayre damoysell / that was kynge Humbars doughter / & she was called Estrylde· And whan Lotrin sawe her / he tooke her with hym for her fayrnesse / And for her he was ouertaken in loue, and wolde haue wedded her. This tydynges came to Corin / & anne thoughte to auenge hym vpon Lotrin. For as moche as Lotrin had made couenaū [...] for to spowse Corins doughter / that was cal­led Guentolin. And Corin in haste wente vn­to hym vnto newe Troy / and thus he sayd to Lotrin. Now certes sayde he / ye rewarde me full euyll / for the paynes that I haue suffred & had many tymes for Brute youre fader. And therfor syth it is so I wyll auēge me now vpō you. And he drewe his fawcon on hygh & wol­de haue slayne this Lotrin the kynge. But the damoysell wente bytwene tho & made them to be accorded in this manere. That Lotrin sholde wedde or spowse Guentolin that was Co­rins doughter / & so Lotrin dyd. And netheles whan that he had spowsed Guentolin Corins doughter / pryuely he came to Estrylde / & broughte her with childe / & gate vpon her a doughter / the whiche was called Abram. And it be fell so that anone after Corin deyed / and after whan he was deed. Lotrin forsoke Guentolin that was his wyfe / and made Estrelde quene. And there Guentolin that was his wyf went from thens all in greate yre and wrathe vnto Cornwayle / & there seased all the londe in to her owne honde / for as moche as she was her faders heyre she vndetoke feautes and homages of all the men of the londe. And after war­de assembled a greate hoste and a grete power of men / for to be auenged vppon Lotrin that was her lorde / and to hym came & yeue hym a stronge batayll and there was Lotrin her husbonde slayne and his men dyscomfyted in the v. yere of his regne. Guentolin let take Estrylde and Abram her doughter / and bounde thē bo [...]he honde and foot / and caste them bothe in to a water / and so they were drowned wherfore that water was euermore after called. Abram / after the name of the dāmoyseyll that was Estryldes doughter· And Englysshe men calle that water Seuerne / And walsshtmen calle it Abram vnto this daye to. And whan this was done Guentolin lete crowne her quene of all the londe / and gouerned the londe ful welle and wysely vnto the tyme that Madan her sone that Lotrin hadde goten vppon her was of .xx. yere of aege that he might be kynge and soo the quene regnd .xv. yere. And thenne lete she crowne her sone kynge / and he regned and gouerned the londe well and worthely. And she wente in to Cornewaylle / and there she dwelled all her lyues tyme.

¶How Madan regned in peas all his lyf.

MAdan sone to Lotrin regned on y^e Brytons .xl. yere / the whiche began to reg­ne the .xv. yere of Saull. And this Madan ly­ued in peas all his daye / and gote two sones. Mempris and Maulyn. Then̄e he deyed and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶How Mempris slewe his brother Maulyn.

THis Mempris and hys brother Mau­lyn stroue fast for the londe And Memprin began to regne the .xxxv. yere of Dauyd. And for by cause that he was the eldest sone / he wolde haue had all the londe / and Maulyn wolde not suffre hym so that they toke a daye of loue and accorde· And att this daye Mem­pris lete kylle his brother thorugh treason and hym self after warde helde the londe. And anone lete crowne hym kynge and regned. And after be came soo lyther a man that he destroyed within a whyle alle the men of his londe. And at the laste he be came soo wycked and soo le­che [...]nus / that he forsoke hys owne wyfe and vsed the synne of Sodomy. wherfore almygh­ty god was gretely dysplesed and sore wrothe with hym. And vpon hym toke vengaunce for by cause of his weckednesse. For on a daye as he wente forthe on huntynge in a forest / there he loste alle his men that were wyth hym and wyste not what he sholde doo / and soo he wen­te vp and downe hym self allone / and cryed after his men but they were gone. And there ca­men wulues anone and alle to drewe hym in peces whanne he hadde regned .xxiiii· yere. whan hys people herde that he was soo deed / they made Ioye and myrthe ynough and ano­ne made Ebrac his sone kynge and he regned with moche honoure.

¶Reges Israel incipiunt.

IHeroboas regned kynge in Israell .xx.ii yere / and he was fyrst of the hous of Salomon and a good mad / But whanne he was made kynge he was a mycheuous man in ydolatry / and made Israell to synne in ydolatry / and many greeate Inconuyences were done / almooste to the destruccyon of Israell. For he was the fygure of Machomete (Plura vide .iii. regum) ¶Abdias the sone of Roboas reg­ned in the Iury thre yere / And other whyle a good man and holpen by god / and other whyle wretchedly dysposed in ydolatrye / and therfore our lorde suffred hym to regne lytyll tyme (Vt pꝪ .iii. regum et .ii. parali.)

¶Of kynge Ebrac / the whiche began to regne the .xv. yere of Dauyd / and how he conquered Fraunce.

THys Ebrac regned .lx. yere / & a stron­ge man he was & a myghey And thys Ebrac thorugh hys myght & helpe of his Brytons cōquered all Fraunce. And wanne there so moche golde & syluer that whā he came ayen in to this londe he made a cyte / and after hys owne name he lere calle it Ebrac that is called Euerywyk. And this kynge made the castell of Maydens / that now is called Edenbrugh. This kyngehad. xx sones and .xxiiii. dough­ters by dyuers wymmen goten / & these sones were called as ye shal here Brute greneschelde de. Margāde. Iakyn. Kymbar. Roselm. Spa­dogh. Godeherl. Thormnan. Gldaugh. Ior­kaughut. Haibor. Ketyn. Rother. Kaier / & As­saruth. And all the dougters hyght as ye shal here after. Eligene. ymogen. Oghdas. Guenbran. Guardith. Auganrel. Guenthold Tan­gustell. Gorghō. Michel. Medhan. Mailour Ondre. Cambredan. Ragā. Renthely. Neest Cheghā. Skaldud. Gladus. Herherhen. Aba­laghe and Blandan. And these were tho .xxiiii doutghters And the brethern becam good knyghtes and worthy in many countrees

¶Of kynge Brute Greneschelde the fyrste sone of Ebrackynge.

AFter the dethe of kyng Ebrac / regned brute Greneschelde his. sone .xxx. yere that was Ebracs fyrst sone / that well and no­bly regned. And whan tyme came he deyed / and lyeth at yorke.

¶Of kynge Leyl that was Brute. Grenescheldes sone.

ANd whan Brute Greneschelde was deed / regned hys sone Leyl .xxii· yere. And he made a fayre towne and lette calle it Karleyl after his owne name. And he was a worthy man and welle beloued of his peop [...]e. And so whan he badde regned .xxii· yere he dy­ed / and lyeth at Karlyll. ¶And in his tyme regned kyng Salomon in Iherusalem / and made the noble Temple. And to him came quene Sibylle quene of Saba / for to here and see yf it were sothe that men spake of the greate and noble wytte and wysdome of kynge Salemō And she founde it soth that men had her tolde.

¶Of kynge Lud Ludibras that was kynge Leyles sone.

LVd Ludibras this kyng: made the cy­te of Caunterbury & wynchester. And [Page] he regned .xxxix. yere and thenne he deyed and lyeth at wynchester.

¶Of kynge Bladud that was Ludi­bras sone how he regned and was a god man / and a Nygromancer.

SO after this Ludibras regned bladud his sone / a greate Nygromancer. And thorugh his crafte of Nygroman [...]y / he made the meruayllous hote bathe / As the geste [...]el­leth. And he regned .xxi. yere / and he lyeeh at the newe Troy.

¶Of kynge Leyr sone to Bladud and of the answere of his yongest doughter / that gracy­ously was maryed to the kynge of Fraunce.

AFter kynge Bladud regned Leyr hys sone. And thys Leyr made the towne of Leycetre / and lete calle the towne after his name / and gouerned the towne welle and no­bly. This kynge Leyr hadde thre doughters. The fyrste was called Gonorill. The seconde Rigan. And the thyrde Cordeill / and the yon­gest doughter was fayrest and beste of condy­cyons. The kynge theyr fader became an olde man / and wolde that his doughters were ma­ryed or that he dyed. But fyrste he thought to assaye whiche of them loued hym moste and best. For she that loued hym best sholde best be maryed And he axed of y^e fyrste doughter how well she loued him. And she answerde and sayde / better than her owne lyf. Now certes say­de her fader / that is grete loue: Thenne he ax­ed the seconde doughter: how moche she loued hym. And she sayde more and passynge all the creatures of the worlde. Per ma foy sayd her fader I may noo more axe. And tho axed he of the thyrd doughter how moche she loued hym Certes fader sayde she: my systers haue tolde you glosynge wordes: but I shalle tell you the crouth for I loue you as I ought to loue my fader. And for to brynge you more in certayne how I loue you. I shall tell you. As moche as ye be wroth: so shall ye be loued The kyng her fader wēde that she had scorned hym & be came wonder wroth: & swore by heuē & erth she sholde neuer haue good of him but hꝭ doughts that loued hym so moche sholde be well auaūced & maryed. And the fyrst doughter he maryed to Mangles kyng of Scotlonde. And the secon­de he maryed to hanemos erle of Cornewayle & they ordened & spake bytwene thē that y^e sholde [Page] departe the reame bytwene them two after the dethe of kynge Leyr theyr fader. Soo that Cordeill his yongest doughter sholde nothyn­ge haue of his londe. But this Cordeill was wonder fayre & of good condicyons & maners That the kynge of Fraunce Agampe herde of her fame / & sente to the kynge Leyr her fader for to haue her vnto his wyf / and prayed hym therof. And kynge Leyr her fader sente hym worde that he had departed his londe & gyuen hit al vnto his two doughters before sayd: & he sayd he had no more lōde wherwith her to marye. And whan Agampe the kynge of fraunce herde this āswere / he sent anone agayne to Leyr & sayd. That he axed nothyng with her but oonly her clothynge and her body. And anone kynge Leyr sente her ouer see to the kynge of fraunce. And he receyued her with moche worshyp / and with solempnyte he spowsed her / & made her quene of Fraunce.

¶How kynge Leyr was dryuen out of his lō ­de thrugh his folke. And how Cordeill his yongest doughter holpe hym in his nede.

THus it befell afterwarde / that tho two eldest doughters wolde not abyde tyll Leyr theyr fader was deed. But warred vpon hym whyles that he was on lyue & dyde hym moche sorowe and shame / wherfore they toke from hym holy y^e realme / & bytwene them had ordeyned / that one of thē sholde haue kyng Leyr to soiourne all his lyfe tyme with .lx. knyghtes & squyres / that he myght worshypfully ryde & go whether that he wolde & in to what coū tre that hym lyked to play & to solace. So that Maugles kynge of Scotlonde hadde kynge Leyr with hym in the maner as is aboue sayd And or the other halfe yere were passed. Gonoril that was his eldest dought & quene of Scotlonde / was soo anoyed of hym & of his people that anone she & her lorde spake togyder wherfore his knyghtes halfe & his squyres fro hym were gone / & no moo lefte with hym but oon­ly .xxx. And whan this was done / Leyr began to make moche sorowe for bycause that his state was empeyred. And men had of hym more scorne & dyspyte than euer they hadde before. wherfore he wyst not what to done. And at the laste he thought he wolde go in to Cornewayll to Rigan hys other doughter. And whan he was come / the erle and his wyfe that was Leyrs doughter hym welcomed / and with hym made moche Ioye. And there he dwelled with xxx. knyghtes & squyres. And he had not dwel­led scarsly .xii. monethes there / that his doughter was wery of hym and his company. And her lorde & she of hym had grete scorne & despyte / soo that from .xxx. knyghtes they broughte vnto .x. And afterwarde he had but fyue / & so they lefte hym no moo. Thenne made he soro­we ynoughe. and sayd sore wepyng. Alas that euer I came in to this londe & sayd. yet had ye be better to haue dwelled with my fyrste dou­ghter. And anone he wente thens to his fyrste doughter agayne / but anone as she sawe hym come / she swore by god & by his holy name / & by as moche as she myght: that he sholde haue no moo with hym but one knyght \ yf he wolde there abyde. Then beganne Leyr to wepe. and made moche sorowe: and sayd then. Alas now haue I to longe lyued / that this sorowe & mys­cheyf is to me nowe fallen. For now I am poore: that somtyme was ryche. But nowe haue I noo frende ne kynne that to me wyll do ony good. But whan I was ryche all men me ho­noured & worshyped & now euery man [...]athe of me scorne & dyspyte. And now I well wote that Cordeill my yongest doughter sayde me trouth / whan she sayd. As moche as I had soo moche sholde I be loued. And all y^e whyle that I had good: so longe was I loued & honoured for my ryches. But my two doughters glosed me then: & now of me they set lytell pryce. and soth tolde me Cordeil: but I wolde not byleue it ne vnderstonde. & therfore I lete her goo frome as a thynge that I sette lytell pryce of: and now wote I neuer what for to do syth my two doughters haue me thus dysceyued: that I so moche loued: & now must I nedes seke her that is in an other londe: that lyghtly I lete her go from me without ony rewarde of gyftes. And she sayde / that she loued me as moche as she ought to loue her fader by all maner of reason And then I sholde haue a [...]ed her no more. And those that me otherwise behoteth thrugh their fals speche: now haue me desceyued. In thys maner Leyr lōge tyme begā to make his moone: & at y^e last he shypped hym to y^e see & passed ouer in to Fraunce: and axed & aspyed where y^e quene myght be foūde. And men tolde hym where she was▪ & whan he came to y^e cyte that [Page] she was in pryuely he sent his squyre vnto the quene / for to tell her that her fader was come to her for grete nede. And whan the squyre ca­me to the quene / he tolde her euery deale of her systers frome the begynnynge vnto the ende. Cordeil y^e quene anone toke golde and syluer plenty / & toke it to the squyre in coūsell that he sholde go & bere it to her fader / & that he sholde go in to a certayne cyte / & hym aray & wasshe / & then come agayne to her. And brynge with hym an honest company of knyghtes .xl. at y^e leest with theyr meny. And then he sholde sen­de to her lorde y^e kyng / & feyne that he were come for to speke with hys doughter / & hym for to se & so he dyde. And whan the kynge and the quene herd that they came: with moche honoure they hym receyued. And y^e kynge of fraunce then lete lende thrugh al y^e realme / & cōmaun­ded that al men sholde be as entendaūt to kynge Leyr the quenes fader in all maner of thynges as it were vnto hymselfe. whā kynge leyr had dwelled there a moneth & more / he tolde to the kynge & to the quene his doughter / how his two eldest doughters hadde hym serued. Agampe anone lete ordeyne a grete hooste of Frensshmē & sente in to Brytayne with Leyr y^e quenes fader for to cōquere his lōde agayne & his kyngdome. And Cordeill also came with her fader in to Brytayne / for to haue y^e realme after her faders dethe. And anone they wente to shyppe & passed the see & came in to Brytayne & fought with y^e felons / & thē dyscomfyted & slewe / & then had he his lōde agayne / & after lyued .iii. yere & helde his realme ī peas & after warde dyed. & so Cordeill his doughter thenne let enter him with moche honour at Leycestre

¶How Morgan and Conedag that were neuewes to Cordeill warred vpon her. And put her in pryson.

NOw as kynge Leyr was deed Cordeil his yongest doughter regned the .x. ye­re of Ozias kynge of Iury. And after her regned Conedag the .xv. yere of Ozias: & Cordeil that was Leyrs yongest daughter after y^e deth of her fader had all the londe .v. yere. And in y^e meane tyme deyed her lorde Agampe / hat was kynge of Fraūce: & after his dethe she was wydowe. And there came Morgan and Conedag that were Cordeils systers sones & to her had enuyte: for as moche as theyr aunte sholde ha­ue the londe. So that bytwene them they ordeyned a grete power: and vpon her warred gre­tely. And neuer they rested tyll they had her taken [Page xiii] and put her vnto deth. And tho Morgan and Conedag seased all the londe / & departed it bytwene them. And they helde it .xii. yeres. And whan that those .xii. yeres were gone the­re began̄e bytwene them a grete beatel / so that they warred strōgely togyders. And eueryche of theym dyde other moche dysease. For Mor­gan wolde haue all the londe frome beyonde Humbre that Conedag helde / But he came a­gaynst hym wyth a grete power / so that Mor­gan durste not abyde but fledde a waye in to walys. And Conedag pursued hym / and toke hym & slewe hym. And tho came Conedag a­gayne and seased all the londe in to his honde and held it And regned after .xxxiii· yere. And thenne he deyed and lyth at newe Troy.

¶And by cause the matere conteyneth moost comodyously togyder of y^e kynges of Brytay­ne / now called Englonde / for y^e tyme of them is not certaynly knowē / what tyme of y^e wrolde the kynges folowen regned. Therfore they shall be togyder / tyll it be comen vnto Guen­tolen kyng of Brytayne now called Englōde

¶How Reynolde that was Conedags sone regned after his fader: & in his tyme it rayned blood thre dayes in to kenynge of grete deth.

ANd after thys Conedag regned Rey­nolde hꝭ sone that was a wyse knyght & a hardy & curteyes that wel & nobly gouerned the londe / & wonder welle made hym beloued of all maner of folke. And in hys tyme regned blood that lasted thre dayes. As god wolde / & soone after ther came a grete dethe of people / For hostes wythout nombre of people fought tyll that almyghty god ther of toke mercy and pyte & tho gā it cesse. And this Reynolde reg­ned .xxii. yere & deyed and lyeth at yorke.

¶How Gorbodian regne in peas that was Reynoldes sone.

AFter thys Reynolde that was Cone­dags sone / regned Gorbodian that was thys Reynoldes sone ·xv. yere / and then­ne he deyed and lyeth at yorke.

¶How Gorbodian had .ii. sones & how that one slewe the other for to haue the herytage / & how ydoyne ther moder slewe that other wherfore the londe was destroyed.

SO whan thys Gorbodian was deed / hys two sones that he had be came stoute and proude and euer warred togyder for the londe. And that one was called Ferres / and that other Porres. ¶And thys Ferres wolde haue all the londe / but that other wold not suffre hym. This Ferres had a felonous herte & thoughte thrugh treason to slee his brother. But pryuely he wente in to Fraunce / and the­re abode with the kynge Sywarde tyll vpon a tyme whan he came ayen / and fought wych his brother Ferres / But full euyll it happed tho / he was slayne fyrste. whan ydoyne ther moder wyst that Portes was deed / she made grete sorowe / for by cause that she loued hym more than that other. And thought hym for to slee pryuely. And pryuely she came to her sone vpon a nyght with two knyues and ther with kytte his throte / and y^e body in to smale peces who herde euer suche a cursed moder / that sle­we with her owne hondes her owne sone And longe tyme after lasted the repreef & shame to the moder / that for by cause of y^e one sone she murdred the other / & so lost them bothe.

¶How foure kynges curtously helde all Brytayne / and what were ther names ye shall here after.

AS the two brethern were deed they lefte not behynde them nother sonne ne dougter / ne none other of the kynred that my­ghte haue the herytage. And for as moche as the strōgest mē droue & descomfyted the febleit & toke all ther lōdes so that ī euery coūtre they had grete ware and stryfe vnder them but amonge all other thynge / there were amonge them in the counther / that ouercame all the o­ther / and though ther myghte and strengthe they toke all the londes / and euery of them to­ke a certayne countree / & in hys contree lete calle hym kyng / & one of thē was called Sca­ter / & he was kyng of Soctlonde / & that other was called Dawalier / & he was kynge of Loegers / & of al y^e lōde that was Lotris / that was Brutes sone / the thyrde was called Ruda [...] / & he was kīge of walys / & the fourth was called Cloten / & was called kynge of Cornewayle. But this Cloten sholde haue had all the londe by reson for by cause that there was no man that wyste none so ryght an heyre as he was. But they that we strongest sette lytel by them that were of lesse estate / and therfore this Cloten hadde noo more londe amonge them but Cornewaylle

¶Of kynge Donebant that was Clo­tens sone wanne the londe.

THis Cloten had a sone that was called Donebant: that after the dethe of hys fader became an hardy man and a fayr and a curteis so that he passed al y^e other kīges of fayrenesse & of worthynesse & anōe a he was kny­ghte he wyste well that whā hys fader lyued he was moost ryghtfull heyre of all y^e londe: and shold haue had by reasō. But y^e other kynges that were of a moche more strengthe than he was: toke from hym his londe. And after warde this Donebant ordened him a grete power and conquered fyrste all the londe of Loegers & after he wolde haue conquered all the londe of Scotlōde & walys. And Scater came with his men & yaue hym batayll. And Rudac cam ayen wyth his walysshmen for to helpe hym▪ but so it befel that Rudac was slayn & also scater in playne batayll. And soo Donebant had the victory: & conquered alle the londe: & well mayntened it in peas & in quyete / that neuer before it was so well mayntened.

¶How Donebant was the fyrst kyng that euer bare crowne of golde in Brytayne.

THis Donebant lete make hym a crow­ne of golde / & wered the crowne vpon his heed as neuer kyng dyde before / and he ordened a statute that & a mā had done neuer so moche harme & myȝe come ī to y^e Temple / the­re sholde no man hym mysdo / but go there in sauete & in peas / and after go in to what londe or coūtree that hym pleased wythout ony har­me / and yf ony man sette ony hōde vpon hym He then̄e sholde lese his lyf And this Donebāt made the towne of Malmesbury / and y^e tow­ne also of the Vyse. And whan he had regned well and worthely .xl. yere / then̄e he deyed and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶How Brenne and Belin departed bytwe­ne them the londe after the deth of Donebant ther fader. And of the warre bewixt them.

ANd after that this Donebant was de­ed / his sones that he had departed the londe bytwene them / as ther fader had ordey­ned so that Belin his eldest sone had the al the londe of brytayne / from Humber South warde. And his brother Brenne had all the londe from Humber vnto Scotlond. ¶But for as moche that Belin had the better parte. Bren­ne therfore wexed wroth / and wolde haue had more of y^e lond / & belin his brother wold graū te hym no more / wherfore cōtake & warre arose amonge them two But Brenne the yonger brother had no myght ne strength ayenst Be­lin / & therfore Brenne rhrugh coūsel of his folke went from thens in to Norwaeye to y^e kynge Olsynges / & prayed hym of helpe & socour for to conquere all the londe vpon Belin hys brother vpō that couenaūt that he wolde haue his doughter to wyf and the kynge Olsynges hym graunted / And Belin anone as hys brod was gone to Norweye he seased in to his hon­de all the londe of Northoumberlonde / and toke al the castelles & lete them be arrayed & kepte the costes of the see / that Brenne sholde not arryue in noo syde / but that he were taken· ❀ ¶The kynge Olsynges lette assembel a grete hoste / and delyuered hys doughter to Brenne and all the people that he had assembled. And thys damoysell Samie had longe tyme loued a kynge that was called Gutlagh and to hym she tolde all her coūsel / how that Bren̄e sholde her haue / and her lede with hym for euer more and so he sholde lese her but that she myght for sake Brenne. And whan Gutlagh had herde this tydynges / he lay for to aspye Bren̄e with as many shyppes as he myght haue. Soo the two fletes mette togyder and longe tyme they faught / soo that Brennes men tourned ayen were dyscomfyted. And kynge Gutlagh toke Samie & put her in to his shyppe. And Brēne shamefully fledde thens as a man dyscomfy­ted. And this kyng Gutlagh wold haue gone in to his owene coūtree / but there came vpon hym suche a grete tempest that fyue dayes las­ted / soo that thorugh that tempest he was dry­uen in to Brytayne with thre shyppes and no moo / and tho that kepte the costes of the see toke Gutlagh and Samie and all his folke and them presented to Belin And Belin put them in pryson.

¶How Belin droue out of his londe kyng Gutlagh of Denmerk and Samie.

IT was not longe after that Brenne ca­me agayne with a grete nauy / & sent to his brother Belin / that he shold yeld ayen his londe to his wyfe and his folke / and his castelles also. Or elles he wolde destroye his londe. ¶Belin dradde noo thyng his malyce / & wolde [Page xiiii] no thynge do after that he hadde sayd. wherfore Brenne came with his folke and foughte with Beline. And then Brenne was discomfyted and his folke slayne / & hym self fledde wi [...]h .xii. men in to Fraunce. And this Belin that was Brenne brother wente thenue to. yorke / and toke coūseyll what he shold do with kyng Gutlagh. For kynge Gutlagh proferde to be­come his man / & for to holde his londe fo him yeldynge yerely .M.li. of syluer for euermore / and for surenesse of this couenaut to be kepte Gutlagh sho [...]de brynge hym good hostage / & to hym sholde doo homage & his folke / & yet he sholde swere vpon a booke y^t it sholde neuer be broke ne fayled. Belin tho by counseyll of his folke graūted him his axenge / & so Gutlagh be came his mā & Belin vndertoke of him his homage by an othe & by wrytynge the same couenaūtes. And vpō these couenaūtes kyng Gutlagh toke Samie & his folke & wente thens / & torned ayen to Denmak. Euer more after were the couenaūtes holden & the treuage payed tyll the tyme that Honelus was kyng of Denmarke & also of his lond thorugh his wyf Gildebu [...]h that he had spoused for she was ryghe heyre of his londe. ¶This Belin dwelled tho in peas / & worshyp fully hym helde amōge his barons / and he made foure ryall wayes / one from the eest in to the weest & that was called watlynge strete / and an other frome the north vnto the south / and that is callen Ikelme strete. And two other wayes he made in bossynge thrugh out y^e lōde that one is called fosse & that other Fosse dyke. And he mayntened well the good lawes that Donebant his fader had ma­de. & ordeyned in his tyme / as befor is sayde.

¶How acordemēt was made bytwene Brē ­ne & Belin thorugh Cornewen ther moder.

BRenne that was Belins brother hadde longe tyme dwelled in Fraūce / & there had conquered a grete lordshyp thrugh mary­age. For he was duke of Bourgoyne thrugh the dought of the duke fewyn that he had spoused that was ryght heyre of the lond. And this Brenne ordened a grete power of hys folke / & also of Fraunce / & came in to this londe for to fyght with Belin his brother. And belin came ayenste hym with a grete power of Brytons / and wolde tho haue yeuen hym batayll. But ther moder Cornewen that tho lyued had that one brother wolde haue destroyed that other and wente bytwene her sones and them made acorde with moche payne So that at the laste tho two brethern with moche blysse wente togyder in to newe Troy / that now is called Lō don / and there they dwelled a yere. And after they toke theyr counseyll for to goo & conquere all Fraunce. And so they dyd / and brente tow­ne & destroyed the londe both in length and in brede. And the kyng of Fraūce yaue them ba­tayl with his power / but he was ouercome / & yaue trauge vnto Belin & to his brother. And after that they wente forth vnto Rome [...] con­quered Rome & all Lombardy & Garmany / & tooke humage & feaute of erles bacons & of all other. And after they came in to thys lond of brytayne / and dwelled there wyth brytons in Ioye and rest. And tho made brenne the two­ne of brystowe / and after he wente ouer to his owne lordshyp / and theyr dwelled he all his lyf And belin dwelled at newe Troy and there he made a fayre gate that is called belynges gate after his owne name. And whan thys belin hadde regned nobly .xi. yere he deyed and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶How kyng Cormbratꝰ slewe the kyn­ge Cenmark / for by cause that he wolde not paye his truage as he shold

ANd after thys belin regned hys sone Cormbratus a good man and a wor­thy. And the kyng of Denmark wolde not pay to hym his truage that is to saye a thousande pounde as he had sworne by othe for to paye it / and also by wrytynge recorde to belin his fader. wherfore he was euyll appayed & wro­the / and assembled a grete hoste of bry [...]ons & wente in to Denmark & slewe the kynge Gut­lagh / and brought the londe in subgec [...]ion all newe. And toke of the folke feautes and homage / and after wente ayene in to his owne lon­de. And as he came fothe by Orkeney / he foū ­de .xxx. shyppes full of men and wymmen be­syde the coste of the see. & the kynge ared what they were. And an Erle that was mayster of them all curteysly answered vnto the kyng & sayd. That they were exieled out of Spane / & soo that they had traueyled halfe an yere and more in the see / to wyte yf they myghte fynde ony kynge in ony londe that of them wold ha­ue pyte or mercy to gyue them ony lōde in ony [Page] countree where in they myght dwuell and hauerest / and become his lyege men / and to him wolde do homage and feuate whyle that he ly­ued / & to his heyers after him / and of hym & of his heyres holde that londe. And whan y^e kyn­ge this herde / he had pyte of hym / & yaue them an yel all wyldernesse / there that no man was dwellynge sauf oonly wylde bestꝭ. And the Erle thanked moche the kynge and became hys man & dyde him homage and feaute and toke all his folke and wente in to the same yle. And the Erle was called Irlamall / and therfore he lete calle the londe Irlonde after his owne name. This kyng Cormbratus came ayen in to his londe and regned .xxv. yere / and after he deyed and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶ Here begynneth the fyfth aege of the worlde durynge to the Natiuite of Cryste.

trāſmigratio.

THys tyme y^e Temple of Salomō was brente of the Caldes & Ierusalem was destroyed / this Temple stode .cccc. & .xlii. yere that is to wyte / fro the fyrst makyng / the whyche was made y^e fourth yere of Salomō. And fro y^e destruccion / y^e whiche was made by Tytus that is to wite .xlii. yeres after the passiō of Cryst. ¶Priscus Torquinꝰ the fyfth kyng of Rome regned. And he made Capitoliū (quasi caput solū) For in the groūde werke was foū ­de an heed without ony body / as for prophecy of thynges to come. For there after warde the Senatours sate as one heed of all the worlde. ¶This tyme thre childern were cast ī to a furnays bren̄yng / & with a myracle they were delyuern / as it is sayd (in dan̄. pri^o) ¶Nabugo­donosor y^e sone of Nabugodondsor y^e myghty regned in Babylō / this man an hyngyng garden with myghty costes for his wyfe (& many meruailloꝰ thynges he dide. So that he wolde be named to excede Hercules in his gretenesse & strengthe. Enilmerodach brother to y^e later Nabugodonosor / regned in Babylon. Thys man toke Ioachim out of pryson. and worshiped hym. his fader deed body after the coūseyl of this man / he deuyded to an hundred grypes leest y^t he shold ryse from deth to lyue. ¶Nota This playe of the chesse was foūde of Xerse a Philosopher. For the correctōn of Eniime­rodach thys tyme the kynge of Baby a grete tyraunte. the whyche was wonte to kylle hys owne maysters and wyse men And for he durste [Page xvi] not rebuke hym openly / with suche a wyt­ty game / he procured hym to be meke.

¶Incipit monarchia Persarum.

DArius vncle to Ciro. felowe in y^e kyngdom with Ciro trā slated the kyngdomes of Ba­bylon Caldees in to the kyng­dom of Persa (rum) & Medo (rum) Ci­rus was emperour .xxx. yere This Cyrus helde the monarche hole at Perses. Of this man prophecyed ysayas / & he de­stroyed Babylon: & slewe Balthasar kyng of Babylon / & he worshyped gretly danyel y^e Ie­wes he sende home ayen that they sholde buylde the Temple of god (Vt pꝪ Esdre pri^o) ¶Ba­bylō that strōge castel was destroyed & hꝭ power was take from hym as it was prophecyed. This was the fyrst cyte & the gretest of all the worlde / of y^e whyche Incredyble thynges are wryten / & this that was so stronge ī one nyght was destroyed / that it might be showed to y^e power of god / to the whiche power all other ben but a sperke & duste. For it is sayd forsoth: that it was Incredyble to be made with mannes hō de or to be destroyed with mānes strēgth wherof al the world myght take an ensāple & it wolde or myght be enfourmed. ¶Tarquinꝰ Su­perbus was the .vii. kynge of Rome / & he reg­ned .xxxv. yere. Thys man concyued fyrst all the tormentes whiche are ordryned for male­factours. As exile / pryson / welles / & galowes feters and manacles / chaynes & colous and suche other▪ And for his grete pryde and cruelnes god suffred hym to myschyef and in what maner of wyse it shall be shewed. He had a so­ne of the same name / y^e whiche defoyled a worthy mannes wyfe / they called hym Collatin & his wyf was called Lucres. Thys Tarquinꝰ that was this .vii. kynges sone aforesayde ca­me vnto the ladyes hous absente her husbon­de to supper and to lodgyng And whan all were a slepe he a rose with a swerde in hys honde and with strengthe and fere he rauysshed the woman. And whan he was gone y^e nere daye after / she sende vnto her fader and to her hus­bonde / for she was of greate kynne / and thus she sayde to them. The kynges sone came hy­ther & as frende / of whome▪ I had no mystrust and thus he hath defoylled my chastyce & loste my name for euermore. Thenne her frendes sawe her wepe and pytously complayned and they comforted her as well as they coude and sayd it was noo vylany vnto her for it was a­yenst her wyll. She answered & sayd yet shall ther neuer woman excuse her by Lucres / For though she cōsented not to thys dyde yet shall she not dye without payne for that dede. And with that worde she had a knyf redy vnder her mantell / with the whiche she smote herself to the here & for this cruelnes & this pyteous deth the peple of rome arose & exiled y^e king for euer more & all his progenye. And thus seased the­se kynges of Rome & neuer was none after.

Of the gouernaunce of Rome tyll the Emperours beganne.

AFter thys tyraunte was deed the Ro­mayns ordened that theyr sho [...]de neuer be kynge more in Rome. But they wolde be gouerned fro that forthe by Cōsules. So whā tho kynges had regned .ii. hondred yere and .xl. they made thys statute that two Consules sholde be chosen: & they sholde gouerne the cy­te & the people. & for this cause these two were chosen that ony of thē wolde make ony yf ex­cesse: the other sholde gouerne hym. For theyr was no thynge obeyed: but yf they consented bothe. Also they sholde not stonde in ther dyg­nyte passynge one yere: for thys cause. That for domynacyon of longe tyme: they sholde not vsurpe vpon them more than was ryght In alle thys tyme the Empyre of Rome was not dylated possynge .xii. myle. The fyrst Consules that were made: they called Lucium and [Page] the other Brutū / and these two men dyde gre­te thynges in theyr time But yet y^e peple bare heuy of theyr domynacyon / wherfore they chose an other man / the whyche shold haue more auctoryte than they / & they called hym Dicta­tor ¶In this same tyme theyr was a grete dyscencyon betwixt the people and the Senate werfore they chose Trybunas wyth theyr Iu­ges ouer the people / and defended them fro wronge as saythe ysyder. For the Dictator whan he was chose he lasted .v. yere / and the Trybunas were remeued euery yere. ¶But ye muste vnderstōde that ye shall not haue here after all y^e Consules named that gouerned Rome bytwene y^e sessynge of kyngꝭ / & the begyn­nynge of themperours. For it were to long to wryte / specyally whan euery yere were newe syn / that one man myght be chosen soo often­tymes as we rede / and also for the endurynge of ther gouernaunce. For they were gouer­nours of Rome .v.C. yere .lxvii. So the moste famous men of these shalle be reherced / after the fourme of Cronycles / and as they stonde in the boke was echeone after other.

¶by cause the kynges of brytayne nexte after lyued in peas moost parte / & lytell of them is wryten / therfore they shall be sette togyder / tyll it be comen to Cassibolon kynge of bry­tayne the whyche was brother to Lud.

ANd whan Cormbratus was deed regned Guentholen / that was his sone a man of good condycyons and well beloued / and he gouerned the londe welle and wysely. And he regned .xxv. yere / and after he deyde lyeth at newe Troy.

¶How kynge Seysell regned and well gouerned the londe after Guentholen.

ANd after Guentholen regned hys so­ne Seysell welle and worthely gouer­ned the londe as his fader hadde done before. And he regned .xv. yere / and deyed and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶How Kymor regned after Sysell his fader / and he begate Howan that reg­ned after his fader in peas.

ANd after Seysell regned his sone Ky­mor well & nobly .xix. yere ī peas & thē ne after hym regned Howan his sone .x. yere / and thenne he deyed / & lyeth at Ikaldowne·

¶How kynge Mor with dyed thorugh myschaund [...]e / thorugh a beest.

AFter thys Howan regned Morwith / and he became so wycked & so sterne: tyll at the last a grete vengeaunce came vpon hym. For whan as he wente vpon a tyme by the see side hemette with a grete beest: that was black and horryble & hydeous. & he wēde that it had be a whale of the see: & bent an arblast & wolde haue slayne that beest with his quarell but he myghte not smyte hym. & whan he had shot al hꝭ quarlles that beest anōe came to him in a grete hast: & hym deuoured a lyue: & so he deyed for hys wyckednesse: thorugh vengeaū ce of god: after that he had regned .ix. yere.

¶Of Grandobodiam that was Mor­with sone that made Cambrydge.

AFter that thys Mor with was dede: y^e brytons crowned Brandobodiā his sone / & this Grandobodiam longe tyme reg­ned in goodnes: & made temples and townes this Grandobodiam made the twone of Cambrydge: & y^e towne of Graūtham was well beloued of ryche & poore / for he honoured the ry­che / and helped the poore. This Grandobodi­am had .iiii. sones. Artogaill. Hesyder. Higa­mus & Petitur· And whan he had regned .xi. yere / he deyed / and lyeth at newe Troy.

¶Of Artogaill that was Grandobodiās sone / howe he was made kynge / and sythe put downe for his wyckednesse.

AFter Grandobodiam regned his sone Artogaill .v. yere / & he became so wyc­ked & so sterne y^t the brytons wolde not suffre hym to be kynge / but put hym downe & made Hesyder his brother kynge / & he be came so good & merci able that mē hym called kyng of pyte. And whan he had regned .v. yere he had so grete pyte of hꝭ brother Artogaill that was kī ­ge before· And anone he forsoke his dignyte & toke his brother the crowne ayen & made him kynge ayenst all the brytons wyll. ¶And af­ter Artogaill became soo good of condicōns / that he was well beloued of the londe for he came so debonayr and free / and dyde ryght & re­ason to all maner of men. And he regned .vi. yere and deyed / and lyeth at Grauntham.

¶How Hesyder was made kynge after the deth of his brother.

AFter the deth of Artogail / y^e brytons crowned an other tyme Hesyder / but his two brethern Hygamus & Petitur had of hym grete spyte & scorne / & ordeyned them for helpe to warre vpon the kyng ther brother / & soo they tooke hym & put hym in pryson the seconde yere of his regne. And they departed all the londe betwixt them both but Higamus ly­ued but .vii. yere / and tho had Petitur all the londe and he made the towne of Pickerynge.

¶How the brytons came and tooke He­syder oute of prysone / and made hym kyn­ge the thyrde tyme.

ANd whan thys Petitur was deed the brytons toke Hesyder anone and ma­de hym kynge the thyrde tyme / And tho reg­ned he in peas .xiiii. yere. And after he deyed and lyeth at Karleyll.

¶How .xxxiii. kynges regned in peas eche after other after Hesyder.

AFter the deth of Hesyder regned .xxxiii kynges eche after other in peas & with out ony longe taryēge. I shal tell thē all & how lōge eche regned as y^e story telleth. the first kynge of tho .xxxiii. was called gerbodia he regned .xii. yere after hym regned morgan. yere. And [Page xviii] after him regned Cighnus .vi. yere And after hym regned Iowalā .viii. yere. And after him regned on Rohugo .xi. yere / And after regned Voghen .xiii. yere / And after hym regned Ca­tyll .xv. yere / And after hym regned Porrex .ii. yere / & after hym regned Cherin .xvii. yere & after hym regned Coyl .xii. yere / & after him regned Sulgenis .xiiii. yere / & after hym reg­ned Esdad .xx. yere / & after hym regned Andragie .xvii. yere / & after hym regned vrian, v. ye­re / and after hym regned Eliud .ii. yere / And after he regned Eldadan .xv. yere / And after hym regned Claten .xii yere / & after hym reg­ned Ouirgūde .viii. yere / & after hym regned Mortan .vi. yere / and after hym regned Ble­dagh .iiii. yere / & after hym regned Caph .i. ye­re / & after hym regned Gen. ii. yere / and after hym regned Seysel & kyng Bled .xxii. yere / & kynge Tabreth .xx. yere / & Archynall .xiiii. ye­re / and Croll .xxx. yere / & Rodyngir .xxxii. yere & Hectir .v. yere & Harpir ·vi. yere & Carpour .vii. yere / and Digneyll .iii. yere and Samuell .xxiiii. yere / and Rede .ii. yere / & Ely .vii. mo­nethes. This Ely had thre sones. Lud. Cassi­ballam / and Enemion.

¶How Lud was made kynge after the deth of Ely his fader.

AFter the dethe of Ely regned Lud hys sone & gouerned well the londe & mo­ [...]he honoured good folke / & tempred & amēded wycked folke / thys Lud leued more to dwelle at Troy than in ony other place of the londe. wherfore the name of newe Troy was left / & tho was the cyte called Ludstone. But the na­me is chaūged thrught varyaunce of letters / and now is called London. And this king made in the cyte a fayre gate / & called it Ludgate after his name / And the folke of y^e cyte are Lodoners And whā he had regned .xi. yere he dy­ed & lyeth at London. And he had two yonge sones that one was called adraghē & that other [...]ormace. But they coude neyther speke ne go for yongthe / And therfore the Brytons crow­ned a strōge knyght that was called Lud / that was Cassibalanius brother / & made hym kynge of Brytayne / now called Engonde.

¶Incipit monarchia Grecorum. et cessat monarchia Persaram.

Kynge Alexander thys tyme began to be lorde of all the worlde: and he was cal­led gret Alisand for his gret victory y^e whiche he had in so lytell tyme It was an euydēc Iuge mēt of y^e wrath of god ayēst syn̄ers of that time [Page] certenly some myracle oure lorde dyde in hel­pynge of his power for hym / for y^e see of Pamphilicon was deuyded to hym as in olde tyme the reed see to the Iewes whan he persecuted Dariꝰ. Also at his prayer the hylles of Caspii were shytte that certen of the cursed Iewes mygh neuer come out. But at last in babylon with venym he was poysōed & dyed the ·xxxiii yere his of age / & y^e fyfth yere of his monarche the .xii. yere of the kyngdome of Macedon. ¶Knowe ye that whan Alexander was deed those .xii. to whom he deuyded his kyngdome accorde they myghte not / & then began Infe­nyte batylles / & at the laste foure opteyned all the kyngdome (Vide plura in Orosio)

¶Incipiunt reges Egyti or alr non pt̄ serī cōtinuacō. et intexent̄ reges Sirie.

PTholomeus Philodolphus this tyme was kyng ī Egypt: this Philodolphus was the very worshyper of one god: & full gracyous to the Iewes: of whome .xx.M. & .C. he delyuerd out of captyuyte: & that he dyde that he myght please the god of Israel: of whom he herde the meruayles. And his lawe he desyred to haue: nor it myght not be translated in to none other longage but of deuoute mē: and that with a due reuerence & a solempnite. Certayne men atempted to haue wryten it amon the Gentyle storyes: whome the plage of god stroke tylle they repented. Thys kynge sende vnto Eleazar the bysshop: to sende to hym lerned men: The whyche he dyde gladly (Vide plura in mgrō histo)

¶Regum Iude orum restituitur.

ARistobolus was the fyrste kynge and preest in y^e Iury this man regned one yere alone / and tooke to hym the Dyademe of the kyngdome. And he helde hym not conten­te with that his fader gaaf hym in his testa­mente. But he put his moder in pryson & his brethern. And therfore he perysshed wretchidly with his brother Antigonꝰ the whiche was of his coūseyll and helped hym.) Vide magys­trum in historiis (¶Antigonus brother vn­to the kyng was slayne thrugh the enuytee of the quene. ¶lexander was bysshop after Ar­stobolus / & he stode .xxvii· yere. And he was al atyraunte / all though he appered sobre in the begynnyng. But he made it knowen what he was in his stomacke / for he slew his owne brother. And in .xii. yere he slewe .l. thousande of the olde sage faders of grete vertue / by cause they tolde hym his mysgydyng. Then̄e whan he sholde deye / he left two sones behynde hym Hircanū and Aristobolum. But certaynly he sayde his wyf sholde regne / for she stode in the grace of the people. ¶Seruius Flaccus. Lu­cious. Fabiꝰ. Plubius this tyme were Senatours at Rome This tyme bataylles amonste them sif began̄e. Of the whiche the firste cause & the begynnynge / was Graceus a myghhy man / well knowen with noble Romayns / be­gan to seke a cause ayenst them. And by cause that he myght do no thynge alone to them / he meued the comyn people to theym sayenge / That all the londes & possessyons sholde be deuyded equaly / and also the moneye. &c̄. And for that cause there was an Insurrreccyon / in the whiche Graccus was slayne / and many myscheues felle after (Vide Orosium) ¶In y^e tyme of these men / there was a chyld borne at Rome / hauynge foure feet / foure armes / two faces and foure eyen. ¶The hylle of Ethna spetted out flammynge fyre horryble / and de­stroyed the places nyghe aboute it. ¶And these men berynge rule. Cartago was cōmaun­ded to be restored. And it was fulfylled of the Romayns people. And there was myghty ba­tayll in the cyte of Rome. ¶Fabius with a ly­tell host ouercame the kynge of Armenye And there were drowned an honyred & four score thousāde men in the water of Rome. ¶Ptholomeus Alexander was kynge in Egypte. In his tyme was borne Lucerius a Poete / y^e whiche afterward was madde for loue of wym̄en & slewe hymself. ¶Pthoiomeus sone to Cleo­patre regned after him / vnder whom Salus­tius y^e noble wryter of hystoryes was borne. ¶Ptholomeꝰ Dionisius was after this man And in his tyme virgyll & Oraciꝰ were borne.

¶How that the Brytons graunted vnto Cassybolon whyche thenne to fore that was Lud­des brother the londe. In whoos tyme Iuli­us Cezar came twyes for to conquere the lon­de of Brytayne.

AFter the deth of kynge Lud regned his brother Cassybolon & became a good man & moche beloued of his brytōs so that for hys goodes & corteysy they graunted hym the reame for euer more to hym & to his heyres. & the kynge of hys goodnes lete nourysshe wor­thely bothe the sonnes that were Lud his bro­ther. And after made the eldest sone erle of Cor­newayle / and the yngest sone he made erle of London. And whyle this kynge Cassybolon regned / came Iulius Cezar that was Emper­our of Rome in to the londe wyth a power of Romayns / & wolde haue had this londe thru­ghe strength / but Cassybolon ouer came hym in batayll thrugh helpe of the Brytons / & dro­ue hym out of this londe. And he wente ayen to Rome & assembled a grete power an other tyme / & came agayne in to this londe for to gyue batayll to Cassybolon / but he was dyscom­fyted thrugh strength of y^e Brytons / & thrugh helpe of the Erle of Cornewayle & the Erle of London his brother / & thrugh helpe of Gudian kyng of Scotlonde / & Corbonde the kynge of Northwalys / & of Brytayl kyng of Southwalys. And in this bataylle was slayne Nen­non that was Cassybolons brother / wherfore he made moche sorowe / And soo went Iulius Cezar out of this londe with a fewe of Roma­yns that were lefte a lyue. And thenne Cassy­bolon wēte ayen to London and made a feest to all folke that tho hym had helped. And whā that this feest was done / Thenne euery man yede in to his owne countree.

¶Of the debate that was betwixt Cassy­bolon and the Erle of London / and of the truage that was payed to Rome.

ANd after it befelle thus vpon a daye / that the gentylmen of the kinges housholde & the gentylmen of the Erles housholde of London after meete wēte togyd for to playe And thorugh debate that arose amonge them Enelin that was the Erles cosyn of London slewe Irēglas that was y^e kyngꝭ cosyn. wher­fore swore that Enelyn shold be hanged. But the Erle of London that was Enelins lorde wolde not suffre hym / wherfore the kyng was gretely wroth and vexed towarde the Erle / & thought hym destroye. And preuely the Erle sente letters to Iulius Cezar that he sholde co­me in to this londe for to helpe hym and hym auenge vpon the kynge / and he wolde helpe hym with all his myghte. And whan themperour herde thys tydynges he was full glade / and ordeyned a stronge power / and came a­yen the thyrde tyme in to thys londe / and the Erle of London helped hym with .viii. thou­sande men / and at the thyrde tyme was Cassibolon ouercome and dyscomfyted and made peas to the Emperour for thre thousande poū de of syluer yeldīge by yere for trauge for thys londe for euermore. ¶And thenne half a yere after passed the Emperour Iulius Cezar wente ayen vnto Rome / and the Erle of London wich hym. For he durste not abyde in this lon­de. And after Cassybolon regned .vii. yere in peas / and tho he deyed the .xvii. yere of his regne and lyeth at yorke.

¶How that the lordes of the londe after the deth of Cassybolon and for by cause he had none heyer made Adragen kynge.

AFter the deth of Cassybolon for as moche as he hadde none heyre of his [...] body begotē / the lordes of londe by y^e comyns assente crowned Andragen erle of Corneway­le & made hym kyng. And he regned well and worthely / & he was a good man & will gouerned the londe. And whan he had regned. v [...]ii. yere thenne he deyed / & lyeth at London

¶Incipiūt imperatores augusti. et dictus est augustus quia augebat populum

OCtauian was Emperour of Rome .lvii. yere .vi. mouthes ond . [...]. dayes. Thys Octauyan neuewe to Iuly whā he was a yonge man toke the Empyre vpon hym. His flou­rysshynge youthe he spended in warre. Fyue thousande bataylles he dyde. And shortly af­ter many bataylles / he brought all the worlde in to one Monarche / that man had no felowe And in his dayes peas was in alle the worlde thrught the prouysyon of the very god. That the temporall peas myght glorifye the natyuyte of our sauyour Cryste Ihesu. This Octauyan was the fayrest man that myghte be / and hygh in wytte / the moost fortunate in all thynges. And he lacked not the vyce of hys flesshe­ly luste. This man made alle the worlde to be mesured. And in the .lii. yere of his regne was our lorde Ihesu Cryste borne / the Sauyoure of this worlde / the whiche graunteth eternall peas to his louers. ¶Hic nota secundum Ie­ronimum) that Anna and Emeria were sys­ters. ¶And of Emeria was borne Elyzabeth moder to Iohan the Baptyste. And she was fyrste wedded to Ioachim of whome she toke Mary moder of Cryste. The seconde husbon­de was Cleophe / and he gate oon her Maria Cleophe / the whiche was wedded to Alphe of whom proceded Iames the lesse Symon Ca­naneus. Iudas Tadeus / and Ioseph the whi­che is called Barsabas / The thyrde tyme An­na was wedded to Salome / of whome she to­ke Mary Salome the whiche was wedded to zebede and of them came Iames y^e more / and Iohan the euangelyst ¶The fyrste Mary wedded Ioseph brother to Cleophe afore sayde. This tyme Sibilla Tiburrina pro­phecyed of Cryste / and sayde to themperoure August / that he sholde not trowe that he was not god after the folysshenes of the paynyms And there she shewed hym a fayre virgyne in heuen holdinde a child in her armes / and say­de to hym / this childe is greter than thou / and therfore doo hym worshyp. ¶The monarche of Rome about this tyme myghtly encresed. And whan it was soo that by all the world in dyuers prouynces bataylles were reysed sodē ­ly all men merualynge / they were sessed and put them holy to the prynce of Rome that opē ly it myghte be shewed that suche an vnyuer­sall peas came neuer by laboure of bataylle / but of y^e powere of the very god / that in his natyuyte peas sholde regne in all the worlde. ¶Herode Ascolonira was kynge in the Iury .xxxv. yere This Herode ydumeꝰ was y^e fyrst straūge kynge that regned on the Iewes. The mayster in historiis sayth / he was a noble mā and faythfull in the begynnynge / and in alle thynge he had hym nobly. He wys very gētyll vnto the Romayns and to the people that lo­ued peas· And in his olde aege / whan he wolde moche please the Romans herde of the byrthe of Cryste: dredynge to be expulsed of his kyngdome as a straunger: wretchedly he felle and slewe the Innocentes and dyuer of his owne children. And at y^e last was hatefull to all peo­ple: and felle syke & deyed wretchedly. ¶Ma­ry the moder of Cryst was borne afore the Natyuyte of cryste .xv. yere or there aboute.

¶Of Kymbulyn that was Andragens sone regned after his fader

AFter the deth of Andragē regned Kymbalyn his sone a good man & well go­uerned the londe in moche prosperyte and pe­as all his lyf tyme. And in his tyme Ihesu Cri­ste was borne of that swete virgyne Mary. This kynge Kymbalyn had two sones. Gyn­der and Armager good knyghtꝭ and worthy. And whan thys Kymbalyn had regned .xxii. yere: he deyed and lyeth at London.

¶Here begynneth the ordre of Popes of Ro­me / and contynneth as the lyne of Cryst dyde afore. For in them god lefte his power. ¶Anno domini .xxxiiii.

PEter a Iewe the fyrste pope was a bles­sed man & a gloryous apostle of Cryst. ¶He was heed of y^e chyrche .xxxvii. yere. And he helde hys bysshopryche in the eest .v. yere & sayd masse he made our lorde / & alone sayd the Pater noster. Thenne after he came to Antio­chiam & there he abode .vii. yere techynge the waye of trouth. And Symon Magus he con­founded away. That season he preched to the people that were circūcysed / the whiche were in Ponto of Galati. Capadocia. Asia. Bichi­nia. Thenne herde he that Symon Magus deluded the Romayns / thrugh the loue of the fayth / he came to Rome in the fourthe yere of Claudius y^e Emperour. And there he preched the worde of god / and shewed the falshede of Symon Magꝰ and tourned many a man to the fayth / Thenne he sende his precher by dy­uerse prouynces / by whome crysten relygyon was myghtely encreased. ¶He ordeyned the feest of Lenton afore Eester / and Aduent and the Emerynge dayes to be fasted of all crystē people / in to the myrrour of the fyrste and se­conde comynge of our lorde Ihesu. ¶Then̄e whan he had be pope at Rome .xxv. yere .vii. monethes and ·viii. dayes / He was slayne of Nero (Eiꝰ pla oꝑa vide acti (bus) aplo (rum)) ¶Ba­ius this tyme was Emperour at Rome & reg­ned .iii. yere & .x. monethes. This Gaius was fyrst vicyous in lyuynge / for two of his owne sesters he mysused / and on one of them he ga­ [...]e a doughter / whyche chylde he sette betwext the knees of Iupyter in the Temple / and fey­ned after warde that Iupyter had goten her. wherfore he dyde crye thrugh the coūtree that alle men sholde worshyppe her as a goddesse / This man also made an ymage lyke hymself and sente it to one Patronie Presydent at Ie­rusalem vnder the Romayns commaundyn­ge hym that he shold compell the Iewes to do worshyp therto. And fore thyse enormytees & many other / oure lorde suffred hym to be slay­ne at Rome in his owne Palays.

Of kynge Gynder that was Kymbalyns sone / that wolde not paye the trua­ge to Rome for the londe that Cassybo­lon had graunted / and how he was slay­ne of a Romyne.

ANd after the dethe of thys Kymbalyn regned Gynder his sone a good man and a worthy / and was of soo hygh herte that he wolde not paye to Rome that trybute that kynge Cassybolon had graūted vnto Iulius Cezar wherfore themperour that was tho that was called Claudius Cezar was sore anoyed And ordeyned a grete power of Romayns / & came in to this londe for to conquere the tribute thrugh strengthe / and for to haue it on the kynge· But thys kynge Gynder and Arma­ger his broder assembled & gadred a grete host togyd of Brytons & yaue batayll to the Emperoure Claudius / and slewe of the Romayns gerte plente. The Emperour had after warde [Page xxiiii] one that was called Hamon that sawe the people there fast slayne / & pryuely cast a waye his owe armes & toke the armes of a deed Bryton and armed hym wyth hys armour / & came in to the bataylle to the kynge & sayd in this ma­ner. Syr be of a good hert for goddes loue for the Romayns that ben youre enmyes anone shall be slayn & dyscomfyted euerychone. And the kynge gaf no kepe to his wordes / ne to his speche forbi cause of the armes that he hae vpō hym / and demyd that he hadde ben a Bryton. But the traytour euer helde hym next the kynge And pryuely vnder y^e sholder of his armes he smote the kynge / wherfore the kynge deyed and felle downe to the erth ¶whan Armager sawe his brother so deed herast awaye his arasmes and toke to him his brothers armes / & come in to the batayl amonges the brytons and badde them hertly for to fyght / and fast laye a downe the Romayns. And for the armes they wende it had be kyng Gynder that afore was slayne / y^t they wyst not. Thenne began y^e Brytons fyersly for to fygth / & slewe y^e Romayns So at the last the Emperour forsoke the felde and fledde as fast as they myght with his fol­kein to wynchestre. And the fals traytour Hamon that had slayne the kynge / fast anone be­ganne for to flee with all y^e hast that he myght And Amager y^e kynges brother pursued hym full fyersly with a fyers herte / & droue hym vnto a water & there he toke hym. And anōe smote of both honde and feet & heed / and hewed y^e body all to peres / and thenne lete cast hym in to the water wherfore that wat was called Hamons hauen. And after there was made a fayre towne that yet stondeth that is called Southampten. And after Armager wente to wynchestre for to seke Claudius Cezar the Emperour of Rome. And there Armager hym tooke. And Claudius the emperour thorugh counseyl of the Romayns that were wyth hym left a lyue / made peas with Armager ī this maner as ye shall here. That is to saye. How that Clau­dius the Emperour sholde yeue vnto Arma­ger Gennen his fayr doughter for to haue vnto his wyf. Soo that this londe from that ty­me for warde sholde he in the Emperours po­wer of Rome vpō suche couenaūt / that neuer after warde no Emperour of Rome sholde take none other trybute of thys londe / but only feaute And they were accorded. And vpō this couenaunt Claudius Cezar sent to Rome for his doughter Gennen. And as she was come Claudiꝰ Cezar yaf her vnto Armager to wyf. & Armager spowsed her at Lōdon with moche solempnyte & myrth. And thenne was Arma­ger crowned & made kynge of Brytayne.

¶Of kynge Armager in whose tyme. saynt Peter preched ī Anthyoche with other apostles in dyuers coūtrees.

THis Armager regned well and worthely / and gourned the londe ryght worshypfully. ¶And Claudius Cezar in remem­braūce of this accorde / and for reuerence and honoure of hys doughter made in this londe fayre town & a castell / and lete calle the tow­ne after his name Clauestren / y^e whiche now is called Gloucestre▪ & then̄e whā all this was done the Emperour toke his leue & then̄e wēte to Rome ayen. And Armager thenne was kinge / and gouerned the londe well and worthely all his lyues tyme. And this Armager gate a sene on his wyf whiche was callyd westmer. And while that this Armager regned saint Peter preched in Anthioche And there he made a noble chirche. In the whiche he satte fyrste in hys chayre And ther he dewelled .vii. yere. and after he wente to Rome: and was made pope: tylle that Nero y^e Emperour lete martyr hym And then preched openly all the apostles in dyuerse londes the ryght fayth. ¶And whan Armager hadde regned .xxxiiii. yere: he dyed and lyeth at the auncyente cyte of London.

¶How kynge westmer gaaf to Berynger an ylonde forlet. And there this Berynger made the towne of Berwyke.

ANd after this Armager regned his so­ne westmer: that was a good man and a worthy of body: and well gouerned the lon­de. It befell so that tydynges came to hym vp­on a daye: that the kynge Roderyk of Gascoyne was come in to thys londe wyth an hughe host of peple: & was dwellyng in Scanys mo­re. & whā kyng westmer herde those tydynges he lete assemble an huge host of Brytons / & came to the kynge Roderyk & yaue hym batayll. And kynge westmer slewe kynge Rodoryke wyth hys owne hondes in playne baytaylle. ¶And whan kyng Roderyks men sawe that [Page] ther lorde was slayne / they yelded them all to kyng westmer / & became his men for euer more. And he gaf them a coūtree that was forletē wherin they myghte dwelled. ¶And thyther they wente And dwelle there alle theyr lyues tyme / and .ix. hondred men there were of theym & nomoo lefte at that batayll· Theyr go­uernour & prynce was called Berynger. And anone he began a towne that they myght ther in dwelle & haue resorte and lete calle the tow­ne Berwyk vpon Twede. And there they en­habyte & becam ryche. But they had no wymmen amonge them / & the Brytons wolde not yeue there doughters to the straūgers. wherfore they wēte ouer see in to Irlonde / & brought with them wymmen & there they them spo [...]wsed. But the men coude not vnderstōde theyr langage ne the speche of these wymmen / and therfore they spake togyder as Scottes. And after warde thrugh chaunginge ther langage in al Fraūce they were called then̄e Scottes & soo sholde the folke of that countree be called for euer more.

¶How kyng westmer lete arere a stone in the entrynge of westmerlōde / there that he slewe Roderyk / & there he began fyrste housynge.

ANd after this batayl that is aboue say­de whan Roderyke was deed / kynge westmer in remembraunce of his victory lete arere there besyde the way a grete stone on hyghe / and yet it stondeth & euer more shall stonde. And he lete graue ī y^e stone lette that thꝰ sayde The kynge westmer of Brytayne slewe in thys place Roderyk his enymye. ¶And thys westmer was the fyrst that buylded hous and towne ī westmerlōde & at that stone begynneth westmerlōde that westmer lette calle after hys owne name. And whan westmer had so done he dwelled all his lyf tyme in that countree of westmerlonde / for he loued that coūtree more than ony other coūtre / & whan he had regned .xxv. yere / he deyed and lyeth at Karleyll.

¶Of kynge Coill that was westmers sone that helde his londe in peas al his lyues tyme.

AFter this: his sone kynge Coill regned a good man & a worthy: and of goode condycyons: and well gouerned hys londe. And of all men he hadde loue and peas. And in his tyme was neuer contake debate: nor war­re in Brytayne. And he regned and was kyn­ge in peas all his lyues tyme· And whā he had regned .xi. yere he deyed & lyeth at yorke.

CLaudius was Emꝑour at Rome nexte after Gaius. And he regned .xiiii. yere / and .viiii. dayes. This man came in to greate Brytayne now called Englonde / for to chalē ­ge the trybute whyche they dyde denye vnto the Romayns. And after grete bataylles ther was bytwene the Emperour Claudius & Ar­mager kynge of Brytayne. And after accordement made / that thys armager sholde wedde Claudius doughter / & after they two sholde e­uer lyue in peas. In token werof / this Claudius named the cyte where they were wedded after hym / and called it Claudicestre / where we now it calle Gloucestre. ¶This Claudiꝰ had thre wyues. And on Petiua the fyrste wyfe he gate a doughter that hyght Antonia / the fyrst wyf decessed / and he wedded Messalinam / & gate a sone that hyght Brytanicꝰ & Octauia a doughter. The thirde he wedded Agrippina hauyng a sone that hyght Nero. Claudiꝰ wedded his doughter Octauia to Nero his wyues sone. This Claudius for loue that he hadde to Agrippina his laste wyf / he slewe Messalina his fyrst wyf / leest she shold haue holpe Britanicus her sone & his to Empyre. yet Agrippi­na the laste wyf of Claudius dradde / leest her husbonde wolde haue proferred Brytanicus and h [...]e deposed Nero her sone / therfore she poysoned her husbonde Claudius / and Nero was promoted to the Empyre. And this same Nero ayue his moder suche a rewarde ayen. For he poysoned Brytanicus and slewe hys owne moder & his wyf Octauia. ¶Iames y^e more the apostle this tyme was slayne of He­rode Agrippa / & Peter was prysoned (Vt pꝪ act .xii. The body of saynt Iames was brou­ghte by myracle in Galeciam of Spyne.

¶Nero after Claudius was Emperour / and he regned .xiii. yere & .vii. monethes. This Nero was a cursyd man / & made grethe waste in the Empyre. He wold not fysshe but with net­tes of golde & ropes of sylke. A grete parte of y^e lordes of Rome he slew He was enemye to no men but to good men. He slewe his broder and hys wyf his moder & his mayster. He slewe al­so Peter and Poule / he wolde neuer were one cloth two tymes. Alle his hors and his mules were shood wyth syluer / & at the laste he dyde [Page xxv] sette a grete parte of Rome on fyre / some saye the Romayns complayned the stretes were to narowe. And as he had brente a grete parte of Rome. Nero sayd there is space to buylde the stretes wyder. Thenne the Senatours wyth the comyn people came vpon hym to sleehim and he fledde by nyght in to the subarbes of y^e cytee & hyde hym / & he herde karles & beggers sayenge. And they wyst where the Empe [...]rour were he sholde neuer scape theym. Nero thoughte it shold be grete derogacyon to his name and he were slayne of karles. And on a grete stake he ranne hym self to the herte and deyed and there was buryed. And deuylles kept his body many a daye after / and dyde grete hurte to the people / tyll by a myracle of our lord the body was founde and taken away / and then­ne y^e deuylles voyded. ¶Seneca was this ty­me mayster to Nero. ¶Iuuenalꝭ pota. ¶Lucanꝰ poeta. ¶Iames the lesse the appostle bysshop of Ierusalem was slayne of the Iewes y^e .vi. yere of Nero. Marcus the euaungelyste was martred the fyrste yere of hym.

¶How kynge Luie regned after his fa­der / that was a good man / and after he became crysten.

AFter thys kynge Coill regned Lucie his sone: that was a good man to god and to all the people. He sente to Rome to Eu­lentre y^t then was pope: & sayd. He wold beco­me a crysten man & receyue bap [...]ym in the na­me of god & torne to the ryght fayth & byleue. Eulentre sēte two Legates / y^t were called Pa­gan: an other Elybam in to this londe & bap­tysed the kyng & all his meyne And after wen­te from towne to towne & baptysed the people tyll all the londe was baptysed. And this was in the yere an hondred .lvi. after the Incarn­cyon of our lorde Ihesu cryste. And this kyng Lucie made tho in thys londe two Archibys­shops: one at Caunterbury an other at yorke & other many bisshops that yet bē in this londe And whan these two Legatꝭ had baptysed all this londe: they ordeyned prestes for to bapty­se chyldern: and for to make the sacramente: and after they wente ayen to Rome. And the kynge dwelled in his londe: and regned wyth moche honoure .xii. yere: and after deyed and lyeth at Gloucestre.

¶How this londe was longe without a kyn­ge: and how Brytons chose a kynge.

THis kyng Lucie had none heyre of his body begotē: that was after warde grete harme & sorowe to the londe. For after thys kynge Lucies deth: none of the grete lordes of the londe wolde suffre an other to be kynge: but lyued in warre & debate amōges them self .l. yere without kyng. But it befell after war­de that a grete prince came from Rome ī to thꝭ londe that was called Seuerie: not for warre but for to saue the ryght of Rome. But neuer theles he had not dwelled halfe a yere in thys londe but that the Brytons slewe hym. And whan they of Rome wyst that Seueri was so slayne: they sente an other grete lord in to this londe that was called Allec that was a stron­ge man & a myghty of body & dwelled in thys londe longe tyme & dyde moche sorowe to the Brytons. So that after for pure malyce: they chose a kynge amonge theym that was called Astelepades. And assembled a gr [...]aee hoste of [Page xxvii] Brytons: & wente to London to seke Allec: & there they foūde hym & slewe hym & all his felowes. And one that was called walon deffended hym fyersly: & fought longe with the Brytons but at the last he was dyscomfyted and the Brytons tooke hym and bonde hys hondes & feet and cast hym in to a water. wherfore that water was called euer more walbroke. Tho regned Astelepades in peas: tyll one of his Erles that was called Coill made a fayr towne ayenste the kynges wyll: & lete calle the towne Colchestre after hys owne name. wherfor the kyng was full wroth & thought to destroy him And began to warre vpon hym and brought grete power of men and yaf the Erle batayll. And the Erle defended hym fyersly wyth hys power & slewe the kynge hymself in that batayll. And tho was Coill crowned & made kyng of this londe. This Coill regned and gouere­ned the londe well & nobly / for he was a noble man and well be loued amonged the Brytons. ¶whan tho of Rome herde that Astelepades was slayne: they were wonder gladde: & sente an other grete prynce of the Romayns y^t was called Cōstance. And he came to y^e kyng Coill for to chalēge the trybute that was wōte to be payed to Rome. And y^e kynge answered well & wisely & sayde: that he wolde paie to Rome all that ryght and reason wolde with good wyll. And so they accorded tho with good wyll and without ony cōtake. And so both they dwelled togyd in loue. ¶Kynge Coill yaaf to hym his doughter Eleyne for to haue her to his spow­se / that was bothe fayre & wyse & good & well lettred. & this Cōstance spowsed her there with moche honoure. And it befell soone after that thys kynge Coill deyed in the .xiii. yere of hys regne / and lyeth at Colchestre entyred

¶Of kyng Constance that was a Romayne that was chosen kyng after y^e deeh of Coill for as moche that he hadde spwsed Eleyne that was kynge Coils doughter.

AFter this kynge Coill Constance was made kynge and crowned / for asmo­che as he had spowsed kynge Coils doughter that was heyre of that londe. The whiche Cō ­stance regned well and worthely gouerned y^e londe And he begate on his wyf Eleyne a son­ne that was called Constātyne. And this kyn­ge bare true fayth. And truly dyde vnto them of Rome all his lyf. And whan he had regned .xv. yere / he deyed and lyeth at yorke.

¶How Cōstātine that was kīge Constā ce sone / & the sone of Saynt Eleyne gouerned & ruled the londe / & was Emperour of Rome.

AFter kynge Constance dethe regned Constantyne hys sone and the sone of saynt Eleyne that foūde the holy crosse in the hooly londe. And how Constantyne be came Emperour of Rome. ¶It befell soo in y^e tyme there was an Emperour at Rome that was a Sarrasy & a tyraunt / y^t was called Maxen­ce / that put to dethe all that byleued ī god & destroyed hooly chirche by all his power & slewe­all Crysten mī that he myght fynde And amō ge all other he lete martyr Saynt Katheryne. And many other crysten people that had dre­de of deth fledde & came in to this londe to kynge Constantyne. And tolde hym of the sorowe that Maxence dyde to the Crystyanytee wherfore Constantyne had pyte / & made grete sorowe / & assembled a grete hoste & a gret power and wente ouer vnto Rome / and there tooke the cyte and slewe all that there was ī that were of mysbyleue that he myghte there [...]ynde / And tho was he made Emperour and was a good man & gouerned hym so wel that all [...]ondes to hym were attendaunt for to be vnder his gouernaunce· ¶And this deuyll & ty [...]aun Maxence that tyme was in the londe of Gre­ [...]e / & herde these tydyngs / & sodeynly became wood / and sodeynly he deyed and so he ended hys lyf. ¶whan Constantyne went from thys londe vnto Rome: he tooke wyth hym hys moder Eleyne / for the moche wysedome that she coude / and th [...]e other grete lordes that he mo­che loued / y^e one was called Hoell an another was called Taberne / and the thyrde Morhyn And toke alhys londe to kepe vnto the Erle of Corne wayle that was called Octauyan. And soo anone as thys Octauyan wyste that hys lorde dwelled at Rome. Incōtynent he seased all the londe in to hys honde / & therwyth dyde all hys wyll amonge hyghe & lowe & they hell­de hym for kynge. ¶whan these tydynges ca­me to Constantyne the Emperoure: he was wonder worthee towarde the Erle Octauyan And sent Taberne wyth ·xii.M. men for to destroye the erle for hys falsenesse. And they ar­rayued at Por tesmouth. ¶And whan Octauyan wyst that he assembled a grete power of Brytons and dyscomfyted Taberne & Taber­ne [Page] fledde thens in to Scotlonde. and ordeyned there a grete power / and came ayne in to thys londe another tyme to yeue batayll to Octauian. ¶whan Octauian herde that / he assem­bled a grate power & came to warde Taberne as moche as he myght / soo that those two hos­tes mette togyders vppon Stanesmore / and strongely smote togyder / & tho was Octaui­an dyscōfyted / & fledde thens vnto Norwaye. And Taberne seassed all the londe in his hon­de / townes & castelles / and as moche as they ther had. And syn Octauian came ayen from Norwaye with a grete power & seased all the londe in hys honde & droue out all the Roma­yns [...] and was tho made kynge and regned.

¶How Marimian y^t was the Emperours cosyn of rome spowsed Octauians doughter and was made kynge of this londe.

THis Octauian gouerned y^e londe well and nobly / but he had none heyre saue a doughter that was a yonge childe that he lo­ued as moche as his lyfe And for as moche as he wered syke and was in poynt of det / & my­ghte no lenger regne / he wold haue made one of his neuewes to haue be kynge / the whyche was a noble knyght & a strong man that was called Conan Mer [...]edok [...] & he sholde haue kypte the kynges doughter and haue maryed her whan tyme had ben. But the lordes of the lon­de wolde not suffre it / but yaaf her coūseyll to be maryed to some hygh man of grete honour and thenne myght she haue all her luste / & the coūsell of the Emperour Constantyne her lor­de. And at this coūseyll they accorded / & chose tho Cador of Cornewaylle for to go to the em­perour for to do this message. And he toke the waye and wente to Rome / and tolde the Em­peroure thys tydynges well and wysely. And the Emperour sente in thys londe wyth hym hys owne cosyn that was hys vncles sone a noble knyght & a stronge / y^t was called Maxi­mian. And he spowsed Octauians doughter / and was crowned kynge of this londe.

¶How Maximian that was themperours cosyn / conquered the londe of Armorycam / and yaaf it to Conan Meriedok.

THis kynge Maximian became soo ry­all that he thougt to conquere the lon­de of armory cam for the grete rychesse that he herde tell y^t was in that londe / so that he ne lyfe man that was of worthynes / knyght / squere ne none other man / that he ne toke wyth hym to the grete damage to all the londe. For he lefte at home behynde hym noo man to kepe the londe / but toke them wyth hym fro thys londe .xxx. thousande knyghtes that were doughty mennes bodyes / & wente ouer to the londe of. Armorycam and there slewe the kynge y^t was called Imball / & conquered all the londe. and whan he had so done / he called Conan & sayd. For as moche as kynge Octauian made you kynge of Brytayne / & thrugh me ye were lette and dystroubled that ye were not kynge. I gy­ue you thys londe of Armorycam / & you there of make kynge. And for as moche as ye be a. Bryton. I well that this londe haue the same name / & no more be called Armoricam / but be called Brytayne. And the londe from whens we be comen shall be called moche Brytayne And soo shall men knowe that one Brytayne fro thae other. Conan Meriedok thāked hym gretly / & soo was he made kynge of lytell Bry­tayne. And whan all this was done. Maximi­an wente from thens vnto Rome / & tho was made Emperour after Constantyne. And Co­nan dwelled styll in lytell Brytayne with mo­che honour / & there lette ordeyne .ii. thousande ploughmen of the londe for to culture the lon­de to harow it & for to sowe it & feffed thē rychely after y^t they were. & for asmoche as kyng Conan & none of his knyghtꝭ ne nōe of his othere peple wold not take wyues of y^e naciō of fraū ­ce / he tho sente in to grete. Brytayne to the er­le of Cornewayle that mē called dionothe that he shold these thorugh out al this londe .xi.M. of maydens. That is to saye .viii.M. for the [Page xxviii] meane people / and .iii·M. for the grettest lor­des that sholde them spowse. And whan Dyo­noth vnderstode this / he made a commaundemente thorughout all the londe of Brntayne. And as many as the nombre cam to be assembldy togyder of maydens / for there was noo man that durste wythstande hys commaundementꝭ / for as moche that all the londe was ta­ke hym to warde and kepe / to doo all thynge that hym good lyked. ¶And whan these maydens were assembled / he lete them come a fore hym atte London. And lete ordeyne for them shyppes hastely / and as moche as them neded to that vyage. And tooke his owne doughter that was called Vrsula that was the fayrest creature that ony man wyst. And he wolde haue sent her to konge Conan / that sholde haue spowsed her and made her quene of the londe But she had made pryuely to god a vowe of chastyte / that her fader not wyst / ne nōe other man elles that was lyuynge vpon erthe

¶How Vrsula and .xi. thousande may­dens that were in her companye wente to warde lytell Brytayne / and alle they were martrde at Colayne.

THys Vrsula chose vnto her company .xi. thousande maydens / that of all o­ther she was lady and meystresse And all they wente to shyppe at one tyme in the water that is called Tamyse / and cōmaunded her kynne and her frendes to almyghty god / and saylled to warde lytell Brytayne. But whan they were come in to the hyghe see / a stronge tempest arose as it was goddes wyll / and vrsula wyth her shyppes and her compny were dryue to Hundlonde thrugh temstpe / and arryued in the hauen of the cyte of Coleyne And the kyn­ge of the londe that was called Gowan / was tho in the cytee· And whan he wyst the tydyn­ges / that soo many fayre maydens were there arryued: He toke Elga hys broher and other of hys housholde wyth hym & went to the shyppes to see that fayre company. And whan he sawe them so fayre: he and hys company wolde haue ouerlayne them & take fro them ther mayndehode. But Vrsula that good mayde coumseylled: prayed: warned: and taught theym that were her felowes that they sholde de­fende them wyth all theyr myghte: and rather suffre deth thā suffre ther body to be defoyled. Soo that all tho maydens became so stedfast in god: that they defended them thrughe hys grace: soo that none of them hadde power to doo them shame. wherfore the kynge Gowan was sore anone that he for wrath slewe them euerychone anone ryght: and soo were all tho maydens martred for the loue of god: and ly­eth at Coleyne.

¶How kynge Gowan came for to de­stroy this londe and how a man of grete power that was called Gracian dei­fended the londe.

AS alle thys was done kynge Gowan that was a Sarrasyn called hys bro­ther. Elga and sayde to hym: that he sholde go conquere the londe that alle those fayre may­dens were borne in. And he ordened tho a gre­te power of Pehites of denmarke of or [...]e [...]ay and of Norway· And they came in to this lon­de: and brente townes & slewe folke: and caste a downe chirches & houses / and [...]obbed all the lond in length & brede & put to deth alle tho that wolde not forsake the ryght byleue & crysten­dome / for as moche as there was no soueray­ne that myght them helpe. For the kyng Maximian had take with hym all the worthy men whan he wente to conquere lytell. Brytayne And in the same tyme y^e ye here now telle was saynt Albon martryd thrugh the wo [...]d tyr [...] Dyoclesyan / in the same place where is now [...] an abbaye made of saynt Albon whyles that he was a paynym. But he conuerted hym to god thrugh the predicacyon of clerke & a wyse man that was called. An [...]ble that was [...]r­bourghed a nyght in hys hous. And this was after thyn carnacyon of Ihesu Cryste ·ii. hon­dred .xxvi. yere. And men shalle vnderstonde that saynt. Albon suffred his martyrdom befo­re that saynt Edmonde was martryd & ther­fore is saynt. Albon called the fyrste martyr of Englond. ¶This Gowans brother and hys folke that were sarrasyns wēt thrugh the lōde & destroyed al thynge that they foūde & no thynge they spared· whan these tydynges came to rome how y^e kynge Gowan had begon for to destroye this londe / y^e Emperour of come sent a strōge mā & of greate power that was called Gracian with ·xxiiii.M. well fyghtynge men for to caste out those sarrasyns of thys londe. And all they arryued at Portsmouth. Maxi­mian myght not come hymself / for as moche. as he was chosen Emperour after the deth of [Page] Constantyne that was Saynt Eleyns sone. whan this Gracian was arryued with his hoste / he lete sapye preuely where kyng Gowan myght be founde. And he sette vpon them so­denly as they laye in theyr beddes / and discō ­fyted hym and slewe them in ther beddes eue­rychone / that none of them scaped / sauff Go­wan that fledde in to his owne countree with moche sorowe and grete payne. ¶Soone af­ter it befelle that Maximian was slayne atte Rome thrughe treason. And whan Gracian wyste that tydynge he lete crowne hym kyn­ge of this londe.

¶How Gracian made hym kynge whan Maximian was slayne / & after warde the Brytons slewe hym for his wyckednesse.

THis Gracian whan he began to regne he became so wycked & soo sterne / & so moche sorowe dyde to the Brytons y^t they sle­we hym amonge them. ¶Tho whan kynge Gowan vnderstode y^t Gracian was slayne & done to dethe he assembled a grete power & ca­me ayen in to this londe. And yf he had fyrste done harme tho dyde he moche more. For tho destroyed he all this londe / & the crysten peple that were in moche Brytayne so that no man was so hardy for to name god / & he that so dy­de anone he was put to strange deth. ¶But y^e bysshop of London that was that was called Gosselim scaped / & went thens to them of Rome to seke socour / to helpe to dystroy the sarrasyns that hadde destryed this londe. And the Romayns sayd / that they had ben so often enoy­ed for ther sendinge people in to Brytayne all for to helpe the Brytōs / & they wolde nomore soo do / and soo the Bysshop Gosselin wente thens wythout ony socoure or helpe. And tho wente he to the kynge of lytell Brytane that was called Aldroye / & this was y^e thyrde kyn­ge after Gowan Meryedok / as before is say­de. ¶The bysshop prayed this Aldroye of hel­pe & socoure / & the kynge had pyte in his herte whan he herde how the bysshop fledde / & how that the crysten men were soo slayne in grete. Brytayne thrugh y^e paynyms & sarrasyns / he graūted hym cōstantyne his broder him for to helpe wyth power of folke. And then dyde ar­raye hors armour & shyppes & al thynges that neded to that vyage. And whā al thinge was redy / he called y^e bysshop / & to hym sayde I take you here Cōstantyne my broder vpon this co­uenaū [...]. That yf god gyue hym grace the pay­nems & that sarrasins to destroye y^t ye then make hym kynge. And the bysshop graūted wyth good wyll. ¶Constantyne & the bysshop toke leue of y^e king Aldroye & betoke him to god & toke men .xii. thousande & went to ther shyppes & saylled to warde grete Brytayne & arryued at Totnesse. ¶whan the Brytons herde the­se tydyngꝭ that to thē came socoure / they were strongely holpen / & ordeyned thē an huge nō ­bre of people & came to them & receyued them with moche honoure. ¶Gowan anone as he wyst of these tydynges / he assēbled all y^e Sar­rasyns & cam ayenst them & yaue thē batayle. An [...] Cōstantyne slewe hym with his owne hō des. And all those other Sarrasyns were dys­comfyted & slaine that nōe of them escaped but those that were cōuerted vnto almyghty god.

¶How Constantyne that was the kynges brother of lytell Brytayne was crowned kyng of grete Brytayne / for hys grete vertue and hys grete worthynesse.

ANone after y^e batayll they wēte to Lō ­don & crowned there Cōstantyne & made hym kyng of this lōde. And y^e bysshop Gos­selyn sette the crowne on his heed & anoynted hym / as it befalleth for a kynge to be. And tho began crystendome ayen in this londe / And anone this kyng Constantyne as he was crow­ned. Anone after he spowsyd hys wyf thrugh coūseyll of y^e Brytōs And he begate thre sones on her. The fyrst was called Cōstance & that other Aurilambros / & y^e thyrde Vter. This Cō ­stance the elder brother▪ whan he cam to aege he made hym a monke atte wynchestre. This Constantyne theyr fader thrugh treason was slayne ¶For it befel on a time that a Pehite came to hym vpon a day in message as yt were. And said that he wold speke with y^e king preuely in coūseyll. The kyng lete voyde his cham­bre of the men y^t were there with in / & ther abode no moo but y^t kyng & the Pehite. & he made a coūtenaūce as though he wold haue spoken with the kynge in his eere. And there he slewe him with a lōge knyf. And after that he wente meruaylously out of the chābre in to a nother chābre so at y^e last no man wyst where he was become. ¶whan the kynges mē wyst that theyr lorde was so deed they made then so moche sorowe that they wyst not what to do. For as moche as his two sones Aurilambros & Vter [Page xxix] were so yonge / that they myght not be kynge / and the thyrde was a mōke as is sayd before. But Vortiger that was Erle of westsex thou­ghte preuely in hys herte thrugt queyntaunce for to be kyng hymselfe. And went to wynchestre / where that Constance was monke / and sayde vnto hym. Constance sayde he / your fa­der is deed & your two brethern that ben wyth Gosselyn y^e bysshop of London to nourysshe be so yonge / y^e none of thē may be kyng. wherfore I counsell you / y^t ye forsake your habyte & come wyth me. And I shall make suche a meane vnto y^e Brytons / y^t ye shall be made kynge.

¶Of Constance that was kynge Constā tynes sone / that was a monke at wynchestre and how he was made kynge after his faders deth thorugh counseyll of Vortyger that was Erle of westsex / for as moche a Aurylmabros and Vter hys two brethern were but yonge of aege. And Vortyger lete slee hym for to be kynge hymselfe.

THys Vortyger coūselled thys Constance so moche / tyll he forsoke hys abbot & wēte with him. And anone after he was crowned kynge by thassent of the Brytons. Thys kynge Constance whan he was crowned and made kyng / he wyst ne knewe but lytell of the worlde ne cude nothynge what knyghthode axed· And he made vortiger his chyef mayster and coūseyller / & gaf hym all his power / for to-ordeyne & do as moche as to y^e reame aperteyned. So that hymself no thynge entermedled but only bare the name of kynge. whan Vor­tiger sawe that he had all the londe in his warde & gouernall / he thought a preuy treason to slee Constance the kynge / that he myght hym self be crowned & made kynge & regne. And lete sende after an hōdred kynghtes of Pehites the worthyest of all y^e londe / & them helde with hym for to dwelle \ as to be kepers of hys body as he wolde goo thorugh the londe to ordeyne thinges that apperteyned to a kyng. And this Vortiger honoured so moche the hondred kynghtes & soo moche yaue them of golde & syluer and so ryche Iewelles / robes horses and other thynges plente / wherfore they helde hym mo­re lorde than they dyde the kynge. And Vorty­ger tolde them / yf he myght be kynge / ye as it were thrugh treason / he wolde make them ry­chest of the londe. Soo at the laste thrugh gre­te gyftes that he had gyuen largely they cryed thrugh the courte that Vortyger were beter worthy to be kynge than Constance. wherfore Vortiger made semblaunt as he had ben wrothe. And he departed thens from the courte: & sayde he must goo elles were for thynges that he hadde to do. And soo the traytour sayde for by cause that they sholde slee hym: that ys to saye Constance. ¶whan thys Vortyger was gone: yt befell soone after: y^t tho hondred kyn­ghtes of Pehyces brake the doores of the kyn­ges chambre and there they hym slewe: & smote of hys heed ād bare it to Vortiger there that he dwelled. And soo whan vortiger sawe that heed he wepte full tenderly with his eyen: and neuer theles he was som deale glad in hys ber­te of his deth· ¶And anone this vortiger toke those hondred kenghtes of Pehytes: and bad­de hys seruauntes bynde theyr hondes behyn­de them: and ladde them to London: and ther they were dampned vnto dethe as fals tray­tours. And anone after all the Brytons of the londe by the comyn assente crowned vortiger and made hym kynge of the londe

¶How Engist and an .xi. thousande mē came in to this londe / to whom vortiger yaue a place that is callde Thongcastell.

ANd soone after this sorowe / tydinges came to vortyger that a grete nauy of straūgers were arryued in y^e coūtree of Cent / he wyst not whēs they were ne wherfore they were come in to this londe. ¶The kynge sent anone a messager thyder / that some of sholde come and speke wyth hym / for to wyte what folke they wert and what they axed / and in to what coūtree they wolde. ¶There were two brethern maysters and prynces of that stron­ge company / that one was called Engist and that other Horne. Engist wente to the kynge and tolde hym the cause wherfore / they were come in to this londe and sayde. Syrewe ben of a countree that is called Saxonne / that is y^e londe of Germayne / wheryn ys so moche sorowe / That of the people ben soo many that the londe maye not them susteynes. And the may­sters and prynces that haue y^e londe to gouer­ne and rule. They made to come before them men and wymmen that boldest ben amonge theym for to fyghte / and that beste maye tra­uayll in to dyuerse londes. And soo they sholde them yeue horse and harnes / armour / and all thynge that they nedeth. And after they shall saye to them / that they go in to an other countree where that they mowelyue / as theyr And cetrees dyde them before. ¶And therfore syr kynge / yf ye haue ought to doo wyth our com­pany: we ben comen in to youre londe: And wyth good wylle you wolde serue your londe kepe helpe and defende from your enmyes yf that ye nede. ¶whan vortyger herde these ty­dynges: he sayde gladly he wolde theym wyth holde: vppon suche couenanuce: yf they my­ghte delyuer hys londe of hys enmyes: he wol­de yeue theym resonable lōdes where they sholde dwelle for euer more. ¶Engyst thanked hym goodly: and in thys maner he and his cō ­pany a .xi. thousande sholde dwelle wyth the kynge vortiger. And moche they dyde thrugh theyr boldenesse: they delyuered hys londe of his enmyes clene. ¶Tho prayed Engyst the kynge of so moche londe that he myghte ma­ke to hym a Cyte and for hys meyne. ¶The kynge answered / it was not to doo wythoute the coancell of Brytons. ¶Engist prayed hym eftsones of as moche plyce as he myghte compace with a thonge of a skyn̄e wherupon he myghte make a. Mancer for hym to dwelle in. And the kynge hym graunted freely.

¶Tho toke Engist a bulles skynne / and kytte it as sma [...]e as he myghte all in to oo thonge all a roūde. And ther with compaced he as moche londe as he myght then̄e make vpon a fayre castell. And so whan this castell was made / he lett calle it Thongcastell for as moche as y^e place was marked with a thonge.

¶Of Ronowen that was Engistes douhter / and how the kynge Voreiger spowsed her for her beaute.

SO whan this castell was made / & full well arayed. Engist pryuely dyd sende by letter ī to y^e coūtree where he cam fro / after an .C. shyppes fylled with men y^e were strong & also well fyghtynge in all bataylles / & y^e they [Page xxxiii] sholde also brynge wyth them. Ronowen hys doughter that the fayrest creture that a man myghte see. ¶And whan those people were. come that he hadde sente after / he tooke them in to the castell wyth moche. Ioye. And hym­self vpon a daye went vnto the kynge / & prayed hym there worthely that he wolde come and see hys newe maneer that he had made in the place y^t he had compassed wyth the thonge of the skynne. The kynge anone graunted hym frely. And with hym went thyder / & was well apayed wyth the castell & wyth the fayr werke and togyder they ete and dranke wyth moche Ioye. And whan nyght came that the kyng- Vortiger sholde go in to hys chambre to take there hys nyghtes reste. Ronowen y^t was En­gistes doughter came wyth cuppe of golde in her honde / and kneled before the kynge & sayd to hym (wassaylle) And the kynge knewe not what it was for to meane ne what he shold answere there vpon / for as moche as hymself / ne none of all his Brytons coude noo Englysshe spese ne vnderstonde it / but he spake in the sa­me langage that. Brytons done yet. Neuer­theles a latiner tolde it to the kynge the full vnderstandynge therof (wassayll) and that other sholde drynke (hayll) And that was the fyrste tyme that (wasshayll) and (drynkhall) came vp in this londe. And frome y^e tyme vnto thys tyme / it is well vsed in this londe. ¶The kynge Vortiger sawe the fayrnesse of Ronowen / & his armes layde about her necke / & thryes swetely kyssed her / & anone ryght he was enamou­red vpon her y^t he desyred to haue her to wyf & asked of Engist her fader. And Engist graun­ted hym vpon this couenaūt / y^t the kyng shol­de yeue him all the coūtree of kent / that he the­re myghte dwelle in and hys people. The kynge hym graunted pryuely wyth a good wylle. And anone he spowsed y^e damoysell / and that was moche confusyon to hymselfe. And therfore alle the. Brytons became soo wrothe / for by cause he spowsed a woman of mysbyleue. wherfore they wente all frome hym / and noo thynge to hym tooke / ne halpe hym in thynge that he had to done.

¶How Vortimer that was Vortigers so­ne was made kynge / & Engist dryuen out. And how Vortimer was slayne.

THis Engist wente in to Kente and sea­sed all y^e londe in to his honde for hym and for his men / & bycame with a lytyll whyle of soo grete power and so moche people hadde / that men wyste not lytell tyme whyche we­re the kyngꝭ men and whyche were Engistes men. wherfore all the Brytons hadde of hym dredde / and sayd amōges theym. But yf that they ne toke other counseyll bytwene them all the londe sholde be bytrayed thrugh Engist & his people. ¶Vortiger the kyng had begoten on his fyrst wyf thre sones. The fyrst was cal­led vortimer. The seconde Catagien / and the thyrde Passent. ¶The Brytons euerychont by one assent chose vortimer to be theyr lod & souerayne / and counseyler in euery batayll / & crowned hym and made hym kynge / & wolde not suffre vortiger no lenger to regne / for cau­se of the alyaunce betwixt Engist and hym. ¶The Brytons ordeyned a grete host to dry­ue out Engist and his company of the londe / and yaue hym thre bataylles. The fyrste was in Kente there he was lorde / the seconde was at. Tetforde / and the thyrde in a shyre a thys half Colchestre in a more. And in this batayll theym mette. Catagien and. Horne. Engistes brother / so that eche of thym slewe other· but for as moche as the countree was yeuen lon­ge befor to horne thrugh vortiger tho [...]e spowsed his cosyn / there he made a fayr castell that is called Horne castell after his owne name. And vortiger was so anoyed for his brothers dethe / that anone he lete fell downe the castell to the grounde. And after he ne lefte nyght ne daye tyll he had dryuen out. Engist & his peo­ple of the londe. And then̄e Ronowen his dou­ghter made sorow ynogh. And quen [...]ely spa­ke to them that were nexte the kyng vortimer and pryuyest with hym. And so moche she ga­ue hym of gyftes / that he was enpoysoned & deyed at London the fourth yere of hys regne and there he lyeth

¶How the. Brytons chose an other tyme Vortiger to be theyr kynge / &. Engist came in to this londe / and how they fought togyders.

AFter vortimers dethe: the Brytons by theyr comyn assēt eft sones made vor­tiger theyr kynge vpon this couenaunt: that he sholde neuer after suffre. Engist ne none of his eft sones to come ī to this londe And whā all this was done. Ronowen the quene pryue­ly sente by letter to. Engist that she hadde en. poysoned vortimer: and that vortiger her lorde [Page] bare ayen y^e crowne and regned. And that he sholde come ayen in to this londe well arayed wyth moche people for to auenge hym vp­pon the Brytons and for to wynne this londe ayen. ¶And whan Engist herde these tydyn­ges / he made grete Ioy. And appareylled hym hastely with .xv. thousande men / y^t were deu­ghty in euery batayll / & came in to this londe And whan vortyger herde telle that. Engyst was come ayen wyth a grete power in to thys londe / he assembled hys. Brytons / & tho went ayenst Engyst for to yeue hym Batayll & hys folke. But Engist dradde hym sore of the Brytons for they had dryuen hym before & discomfyted hym with strēgth. wherfore this Engist prayed hym for a loue daye / & sayd he was not comen in to this londe for to fyght / but for to haue hys lond ayen yf he myght accorde with the. Brytons / & of them to haue loue and grace The kynge Vortiger thrugh counseyll of hys Brytons graūted hym a loue daye. And thus it was ordeyned thrugh the Brytons / y^t the same daye sholde be holden fast besyde Salysbury vpon a hylle. And Engyst sholde come thy­der with four hordred kdnghtes without moo And the kyng with as many of the wysest men of hys londe· And at that daye the kynge came with his coūseyll as it was ordeyned / but Engist had warned hys knyghtes pryuely / & then conmaunded that euery one of them shold put a longe knyf in hys hose. And whan he sayde Fayre syres now ys tyme to speke of loue & pe­as euery man Anone shold drawe out hys kynue & slee a Bryton. And so they slewe. a M.lxi. knyghtes / & wyth moche sorowe many of them escaped. And the kyng vortyger there hymself tho was taken / & ladde to Thongcastell & put in pryson. And some of Engystes men wolde that the kynge had be brente alle quycke And vortiger tho for to haue hys lyf / graūted them as moche as they wolde are / & yaue vp all the londe townes / castelles / cytees / & borughs to Engist and to his folke. And all the Brytons fledde thes in to waiys / and there they helde them styll. And Engyst wente thorugh the londe and seased all the londe / wyth fraunchyles And in euery place lete cast a downe chyrches and houses of Relygyon / And wasted and de­stroyed crystendome thrughout all thys londe And lete [...]aunge y^e nam of thys lond called brytayne: that noo man of hys were soo hardy af­ter that tyme to calle this lōde Brytayne: but calle Engist londe. And then ne he departed all the londe to hys men: and there made .vii. kynges for to strength the londe that the Brytons sholde neuer after come therem. ¶The fyrst kyngdome was Kent: there that Engist hymself regned: and was lorde & mayster ouer al y^e other. ¶The other kyng had Southsex y^t now is called chychestre ¶The thyrdet kyng had westsex. ¶The fourth had Eestsex. The fyfth had Estangill: y^t now is called Northfolke Southfolke. Merchemeryk: that ys to saye therldome of Nycholl. ¶The sixth had Ley­cheter shyre. Northampton shyre. Herforde: and Huntyngdon. ¶The seuenth hadde Ox enforde. Glouchestre. wynchestre. wer wyke­and Derbyshyre.

¶How that Vortyger wente in to walys & beganne there castell y^t wolde not stande wyth out morter tempred wyth blood.

AS Engist had departed all the lond in thys maner bytwene hys men: and in lyuerde vortyger out of pryson & suffred hym freely to go whyther that he wolde. And he to­ke his waye and wente in to walys there that his Brytons dwelled: for as moche as y^e londe was stronge & wycked to wynne. And Engyst [...]neuer came therene neuer knew it before that londe. ¶Vortiger helde hym there wyth hys Bratons / and axed counseyll what hym was best to do. And they yaue hym counseyll to make a stronge castell that hym myghte hymself there in kepe and defende yf nede were. Ma [...]e sons in haste tho were fette / & began to werke vpon y^e hylle of Breigh / but certes thus it be­fell that all the werke that the masons made a daye downe it felle the nyght / and they wyste not what it myght be. Ther of the kynge was sore anoyed of that chaunce & wyste not what to do. werfore he lette sende after the wysest clerkes & also lerned men than were thorugh out walys that myght be foude / for they shol­de tell wherfore y^e foūdament so fayled vnder the werke / and they sholde hym tell what was best for to doo. And whan these wyse men lon­ge tyme had studyed they sayde to the kynge / that he sholde doo seke a chylde borne of a wo­man that neuer had with man to do And that chylde sholde be slayne / and tempred with his blood the morter of the werke. And soo sholde the werke euer endure withouten ende.

¶How the kynge lette seke. Merlyn thorugh out all walys / for to speke wyth hym.

AS the kynge herde this he commaun­ded his messagers anone to go thrugh out walys to seke that chylde yf they myghte hym fynde / and that they sholde hym brynge forthe with them vnto hym. And in recorde & in wytnesse of thys kynge he hadde take them his letters that they ne were distroubled of no▪ man ne lette. And tho the messengers wente thens / and spedde soo faste that they came in to a towne that was called Carmardyne / and as they passed for the theyr waye they founde two chyldern of .xxiiii· yere of aege thydynge togyder with hasty wordes. And one of them sayde to that other Donebat sayde he ye do all wronge to chyde or stryue with me for ye haue no wytte ne no reason as I haue. Certes mer­lyn sayde he / of your wytte ne youre reson. I make no force. For men telle comynly that ye haue no thynge of god all myghty syth ye had neuer fader / But euery man knoweth who was youre moder. ¶The messengers of the kynge vortiger whan they herde the stryue be­twixt the two gromes they axed of them that stode besyde them whens that· Marlyn was borne / and also whom hym nourysshed. And the folke them tolde / that a greate gentyll wo­man hym bare in. Carmadyne that was cal­led Adhanr But neuer myght noth man wyte who was his fader. ¶whan the kynges mes­sengers herde these tydynges they wente ano­ne to hym that was wardeyne of the towne & tolde hym the kyngꝭ wyll and shewed hym his leter wherfore they were come thyder.

¶Merlyn and his moder were fetched be­fore the wardeyne of the towne. And he com­maunded them that they sholde go to the kyn­ge as it was ordeyned by his messagers. Mer­lyn and his moder wente thens and came vn­to y^e kynge and there they were receyued with moche honour. And the kynge axed of that la­dy yf y^e chylde were her sone & whome hym be gate. The lady answered full tenderly wepynge and sayde. She neuer hadde company of worldly man. But syr sayde she As I was a yonge mayden in my faders chambre / and o­ther of greate lygnage were in my company / that oftentymes wente to place and solace. I belefte alone in my chambre / wolde not goo [...]orthe for bernnynge of the sonne. And on [...] tyme there came a fayre bacheler and entred in my chambre there that I was alone. But how he came in to me / and where. I wyst it neuer \ ne yet knowe I not. For the doores were fast barred and with me he dyde game of loue For I ne had myght ne power / hym to defen- from me. And often he came vnto me in y^e for­sayd maner / so that he begate this childe. But neuer myght I wyte what he was.

¶Of the answere of Merlyn wherfore the kynge axed why his castel myght not stonde that he had begonne ne proue.

SO whan Merlyn hadde herde all that his moder hadde sayd. He spake to the kynge in this maner. ¶Syre how I was begoten axe ye no more For it be falleth not to you ne to none other to wyte. But telle me the cause wherfore I am to you brought & wher­fore ye haue sente after me. ¶Truely sayd the kyng / my wyse couseyllers haue done me to vnderstode / y^t y^e morter of a werke that I haue begonne / behouety to be thempred with your blood / or the foundament shall fayle for euer more. ¶Syr sayd Merlyn. wyll ye slee me for my blood to tempre with your morter. ye sayd the kyng / or elles my castell shall neuer stande as my coūseyllers do me to vnderstonde Tho- answerd Merlyn to the kyng. Syr he sayd he sayd / lete them come before me those wyse coū seylles & I woll preu they saye not well ne tru­ly. And whan y^e wyse men were comen. Mer­lyn axed yf his blod were y^e cause to make this werke to stōde & endure. All tho wyse men we­re abasshed & coude not answere. Merlyn tho sayd to the kynge. Syr I shall tell you y^e cause wherfore your werke thus fayleth & may no [...] stande. There is vnder the moūtayne there y^t ye haue buylded youre toure a grete ponde of water & ī y^e botome of y^e ponde vnder y^e water there ben two dragons / & y^e one is whyte & y^e other reede / y^e fyght togyd ayēst your werke do ye myne depe eyll your men come to y^e pond / & cause your men to take a way y^e water all out / & thenne ye shall see y^e dragans as I haue you tolde y^e togyder fyght ayēst your werke & this is the cause wherfor your foūdament fayleth The kynge anone lete dygge vnder that men came to the ponde / And lette doo a waye the water / and there they founde two dragons as Merlyn had tolde that egerly fought togyder The whyte dragon egerly assayled the reede [Page] and lyadde on hym so strongely that he myght not endure / but withdrewe hym and rested in the same caue. And whā he had a whyle rested hym / he wente before & assayled the reede dra­gon angerly / & helde hym soo sore y^t he myght not ayenste hym endure / but withdrewe hym & rested And after came ayen y^e whyte dragon and strongly fought wyth the reede dragon. & bote hym euyl & ouercame. that he fledde from thens and nomore came agayne.

¶Of the sygnycacyon of those two dragons that were in the botome of the ponde that fought togyder

THis kynge vortyger and hys men that sawe thys batayll had grete meruaysle and prayed Merlyn to tell him what it myght betoken. Syr quod Merlyn I shall telle you. The reede dragon betokeneth yourselfe / and the whyte betokeneth the folke of Saxon that fyrste ye toke & helde in your londe that fyght ayenst you / and you haue dryuen & enchaced. ¶But Brytons of ynure lygnage ouercame them and droue them a waye And sythen at y^e comynge ayen of the Saxons they recouered this londe and helde it for euer more. And droue out the Brytons and dyde wyth this londe all they wyll / and destroyed crystēdom thrugh out thys londe. ye had fyrste grete Ioye wyth theyr comynge / But now yt ys torned to you grete damage and sorowe. For tho brethern of Constance that was kynge the whiche ye lete slee shal come before a quīzeme passed with a grete power from lytell Brytayne / & shall auenge the deth of theyr brother. And they shal brenne you fyrst wyth sorowe / and after they shall slee a grete parte of Saxons / & shall dry­ue out all the remenaūt of the londe. And therfore abyde ye here noo lenger to make castell nor other werke. But anone goo elles where youre lyues alle for to saue. To god I you betake / trouthe I haue sayde to you of thyn­ges that shalle befalle. ¶And vnderstande ye welle that Aurilambros shalle be kynge But he shalle be enpoysoned / and lytell tyme shall he regne

¶Of kynge Aurilambros how that he pursued vortiger and Engist and how they deyed.

MErlyn and hys moder departed frome the kynge / and torned agayne to Car­mardyn. And soone after tydynges came to y^e Brytons that Aurilambros and vter his brother were arryued at Totnesse wyth a greate hoste / And anone the Brytons assembled thē and wente to receyue Aurylambros and Vter wyth grete noblesse. And had them vnto London / and crowned Aurylambros & made hym kynge / and dyde vnto hym homage. And anone he axed where. Vortyger that was kynge myght be founde / for he wolde be auenged on his brothers dethe / and after he wolde warre vpon paynems. And they tolde hym that Vortyger was in walys / & soo they ladde hym thyther warde. ¶Vortiger wyste welle that tho brethern came hym to conquere / And fledde thens in to a castell that was called. Gerneth that stode vppon an hyght mountayne / and there hym helde. Aurilambros and Vter hys brother and theyr folke had besyeged the ca­stell full long tyme / for the cagell was stron­ge and well arrayed. ¶So at the laste they casted wylde fyre and brente howses and men & all theyr araye: and as moche as was wythin the castell. Soo that Vortiger was brente a­monge all other: and soo he deyde wyth moche sorowe. ¶Tho was Engist in Kente and regned there: ane herde thys tydynges: and ano­ne fledde and wolde haue gone in to Scotlonde for to haue had socoure. But Aurilambros and his men mette with hym in the north coū tre and yane hym batayl. And Engist and his men defended whyles that they myghte. But he and his folke were discomfyted and slayne And Octa his sone fledde vnto yorke. And Aurilambros hym folowed egerly. And. Octa a lytell whyle withstode hym: But after warde he put hym to his mercy. And aurilambros receyued hym: and to hym and to hys men gaaf­the countree of Galewaye in. Scotlonde: and there they dwelled. ¶The kyng aurilambros wente thorugh out the londe: and put awaye the name of. Englonde: that. Engist after hys name had called it befoere. Tho lete he it calle agayne grete. Brytayne: and lete make ayen cherches: houses of religyon: castelles: cytees and broughs. And towones that the. Saxons hadde destroyed. And came to London: and lete make the walles of the cyte: whyche Engist and his folke hadde castedowne. ¶The Brytons ladde hym vnto the mount of. Ambrian that somtyme was an hous of relygyon: that tho was destroyed thrughe the paynems:

[Page xxxv]¶wherof a knyght that was called Ambri sometyme was founder of that house. And therfore the same hylle was called the mount of. Ambrian. And after it was called. Ambresbu­ry. And shall be so for euermore [...].

¶How Aurilambros dyde redresse the londe of greate Brytayne / that whyche was destroyed thorugh the Saxons before sayde.

HOw the kynge Aurilambros lete amende and redresse the house of Ambresbu­ry / and there in put monkes. But now there ben Nonnes a lytell fro the place that was called Salysbury / are that the Saxons slewe the Brytons / where Engist and they shold haue made a laue daye. In the whyche tyme were slayne a thousande knyghtes .lxi. thrugh trea­son of Engist· The kynge therof had grete pyte and thoughte to make in mynde of them a monument of stone that myght endure to the worldes ende. And of thys thynge they tooke ther counseyll what therof was best for to do. ¶Tho spake to the kynge the bysshop of London that was called Ternekyn that he sholde requyre after. Merlyn. For he coude best telle how this thyng myght best be made. And merlyn after was sought and founde and came to the kyng. And the kynge tolde hym hys wyll of the monumente that he wolde haue made. Merlyn answered to the kynge & sayd. There ben grete stones in Irlonde and longe vpon the hylle of Kyan that men called. Gyauntes karoll. And yf they were in this place as they ben there / they wolde endure for eurer more in remembraunce of those knyghtes that here be entyred. ¶Per may foy sayd the kynge as harde stone ben in my londe as in Irlonde.

¶Soth sayde Merlyn. But in all your londe ben none suche. For gaūtes sette them for gre­te good of themself. For atte euery tyme that they were woūde or in ony maner hurte / they wysshe the stones with hote water / And then­ne they wysshe them ther with and anone they were hoole.

¶How the Brytons wente for to seke the grete stones in Irlonde.

AS soone as the. Brytons had herde of this thynge / they yede and swore amō ge them they wolde go seke those stones. And toke with them. Vter the kynges broder to be thyef capytayne and .v. thousande men / and Merlyn counselled them for to go vnto Irlonde and soo thye dyde / And whan the kynge of Irlonde that was culled Guillomer herde tell straungers were arryued in his londe / he assē bled a grete power & fought ayenst them But he & his folke were dyscomfyted. ¶The Bry­tons went before tyll they came to the mount of Kyan / and clymmed vp vnto the mounte. But whan they sawe the stones & the maner how they stode / they had grete meruaylle and sayde bytwene themself / that noo man sholde them remeue for noo strengthe ne engyne soo grete they were and soo longe. But. Merlyn thrugh his crafte he remeued them and brou­ghte them in to theyr shyppes and came ayen in to thys londe. And Merlyn sette the stones there that the kyng wolde haue them. And set­te them in the same manner that they stode in Irlonde / and whan y^e kynge sawe that it was made he thanked Merlyn / And rychely hym rewarded at his owne wyll. And that place lete calle Stonhenge for euer more.

¶How Passent that was Vortigers sone and the kynge Guillomer came in to thys londe / and how a traytour that was called Cappa enpoysoned y^e kynge Aurilambros.

ANd men shall vnderstonde that Pas­sent that was Vortigers sone lyued y^e same tyme / and came in to thys londe wyth a grete power / and arryued in the north coūtre & wolde be auēged of his faders deth Vortiger and strongely trusted vpon the company that he had brought wyth hym out of the londe of Germayne / and had conquered all the North countree vnto yorke. ¶And whan kynge Au­rilambros herde this he assemled a grete power of Brytons & went for to fyght with passēt & he dyscomfyted Passent & all his peple. but Passent escaped thens with some of his men / & fledde thens in to Irlonde & come to kynge Guillomer & prayed hym of helpe and socour. The kynge graūted hym with good wyll and sayde / that he wolde helpe hym / vppon that couenaunt that I my selfe muste go with you with all my power in to brytayne. And I wol­de me aduenge vpon the Broytons the rather for they came in to my londe & toke the stones with strength that is called Gyauntes karoll ¶The kyng Guillomer lete ordeyne his shippes & went to the see with .xv. thousāde men [Page] and arryued in walys & began to robbe / & moche sorowe he dyde. ¶It befell so that kynge Aurilambros laye syke at wynchestre / & my­ghte not helpe hym self. So that he sente in his name Vter his brother with a power to helpe walys. And thyther warde he went as moche as he myght. ¶The kynge of Irlonde & Pas­sente herde telle that Aurilambros was syke / & to hym there came a Sarrasyn that was cal­led Cappa & sayde. Syre dwelle ye here all in peas with your host & I behyght you thorugh my quayntesye y^e I shall slee the kynge Aurilambros that is syke. Thenne sayd Passent / yf ye doo so I shall you rychely auaunce. The traytour Cappa put vpon hym an habyte of relygyon / & lete shaue hym a brode crowne & came vnto the kynges courte / and sayde that he wolde help [...] the kynge of his malady. Tho sayd the traytour Cappa vnto the kyng. Syr be of good comforte. For I shall yeue you su­che a medicyne that ye shalle swete anōe ryght & lyste to slepe & haue good reste. And the tray­tour yaaf hym suche poyson to slepe anone ryghte / & deyed in hys slepynge. And y^e traytour sayd y^t he wolde go out to the felde tyll he were awaked / & so escaped he awaye. For no man had to hym suspeccyon / for by cause of his ha­byte that he was clothed ī / & also for hys brode shauen crowne. But whan the kynges men wyste that he was deed / they became wonder sory / and faste soughte the traytoure / but they myghte not fynde hym· For y^e Cappa torned ayen vnto the hoste frem whes y^t he came.

¶whan Aurilambbros deyed a sterre in the morne was seen wyth a clere lyght / & at the bought of the beeme was sene the heed of an horryble dragō

SO whan the kyng Aurilambros was deed & enpoysoned at winchestre. On the morne after he was dede aboute the tyme of Pryme there was sene a sterre grete & clere & the beeme of that sterre was brygheter thā y^e sonne. And at the bought of y^e beeme apperyd a dragons heed / & out of hys mouth came two huge lyghtes / that were as bryght as ony fyre brennynge. & that one beeme to warde Fraun­ce and streyght ouer the see thyther warde. And out of that beeme came .vii. beemes full clere and longe as it were the lyghte fyre. ¶This [...]erre was seen of many a man / But none of them wyste what it be tokened. ¶Vter that was the kynges brother / that was in walys wyth hys hoste of Brytons / sawe that sterre & the grete lyght that it yaue / they wondred ther of gretly what it myghte betoken. And lete calle Merlyn and prayed hym for to telle what y^t it myhght betoken.

¶Of the betokenynge of the sterre.

MErlyn sawe y^e sterre / and be­helde yt a longe tyme. And sythen he quoke and wepte tenderly. And sayde· Alas alas that soo noble a kyng & worthy ys deed And I do iou to vnderstān­de that Aurilambros your brotherds poysoned / & that I see well in thys sterre. And your­selfe ys betokened the heed of the dragon that is seen at the bought of the beeme that ys your self that shall be kynge and regne. And by the beeme that stondeth to warde the Eest ys vn­derstonde that ye shall gete a sone that shall conquere all Fraunce / and all the londes that be­longeth to the crowne of Fraunce / that shalle be a wrothyer kynge & of more honoure than euer were ony of his auncetours. ¶And by the beeme that stretched towarde Irlonde is betokened that ye shalle gete a doughter that shalle be quene of Irlonde. ¶And the seuen beemes betoken that ye shall haue .vii. sones. And euery one of them shall be kyng / and reg­ne wyth moche honoure. And abyde ye no len­ger here / but goo and yeue batayll to your en­myes / and fyghte wyth them booldely for ye shalle ouercome them and haue the victory. ¶Vter thanked hertely Merlyn and toke his men and wente to warde hys enmyes / & they fought togyder mortally / and soo he dyscom­fyted his enmyes & them destroyed. And hym self slewe Passēt that was vortigers sone And his Brytons slewe Guillomer that was kyng of Irlonde and all his men. ¶And Vter ano­ne after that batayll toke hys waye to warde wynchestre / for to doo entyere Aurilambros kynge that was his brother. But tho was the body borne vnto. Stonhenge with moche ho­nour / that he had done make in remembraū ­ce of the Brytons that there were slayne thrugh treason of Engist / that same day that [Page xxxvi] they sholde haue ben accorded. And in the sa­me place they entyered. Aurelambros the se­conde yere of hys regne wyth all y^e worshyp y^e myght belonge to suche a kynge. On whoos soule god haue mercy. Amen.

¶Of Vter Pendragon / and therfore he was called so ye shall here. And how he was ouertake with the loue of Igreyne that was the Erle of Cornewaylles wyf.

AFter the dethe of. Aurilambros. Vter his brother was crowned and regned well & worthely. And in remembraunce of the dragon that he was lykened to / He lete make two dragons thrugh coūseyll of his. Brytons And made that one for to be borne before hym whā he wēte in to batayll / and y^e other for to abyde att wynchestre in the bysshop chyrche. And for that cause he was called euer after v­ter Pendragon. ¶And Octa that was Engistes sone cōmended vter but lytell y^t was made newe kynge. And ayenste hym began to meue warre. And ordeyned a grete power of his frē des & of hys kynne / and of. Ossa hys brother \ and had taken all the londe from Humbre vn­to yorke / But those of yorke helde strongely agaynst them / and wolde not suffre them to co­me in to the cytee / neyther to yelde the cytee to them. And he besyeged the towne anone ryght and yaue therto a stronge assawte. But they of the cyte them kept well & strongely. ¶And whan vter herd therof / he came thyther wyth a grete stronge power for to helpe & rescowe y^e towne & put a way the syege / & yaue a stronge batayll. And Octa & his company them defended as well as they myght. But at y^e laste they were dyscōfyted & the most partye of thē slay­ne. And. Octa and. Ossa were taken & put in pryson at London. ¶And vter hymfelf dwelled a whyle atte yorke / and after he wente to London. And at the Eester after he wold vere crowne & holde a solempne feest. And lette so­mone all his Erle and Barons / that they sholde come to that feest. And all those that hadde wyues sholde brynge them also to that feest. And all the seygnoury came at the kynges cō ­maundemente as they were commaunded. ¶The feest was rychely arayed and holden. And all worthely sette to meete after that they were of astate. Soo that the· Erle Gorloys of Cornewaylle and. Igreyne his wyf sate nexte vnto the kynge. And whan the kyng sawe the fayrnesse of that lady and the beaute that she had. He was anone rauysshed for her beaute and often he made to her nyce countenaunce in lokynge and laughynge. So at the laste the Erle perceyued the preuy lokynge and laug­hynge and the loue bytwene them. And roso vp from the table in wrathe / and toke his wyf [...]nd called to hym hys knyghtes and wente thens wrath / wythout takynge leue of y^e kyn­ge. ¶The kynge anone sente after hym that he sholde come agayne and goo not thens in dyspyte of hym. And the erle wolde not come agayne in no maner of wyse. ¶wherfore the kynge was wrothe / and in wrathe hym defy­ed as his deedly enmye. ¶And the erle wente thens in to Cornewaylle with his wyfe in the castell of Tyntagyll. ¶And the kynge lete or­deyne a grete host and came in to Cornewaylle / for to destroye the erle yf that he myghte. But he hadde put hym in suche a castell that was stronge and welle arayed called. Tynta­gyll / and wollde not yelde hym to the kynge. ¶And the kynge anone besyeged the called / & there dwelled .xv. dayes that neuer myghte spede / and euer he thought vppon Igreyne / & vpon her layde so moche loue / That he wyste not what to doo. ¶So at the laste he called to hym a knyght that was called vlfin that was preuy wyth hym and tolde hym all hys coun­seyll / and axed hym wha [...] was best for to done ¶Syr sayde he / sende after Merlyn anone / for he came telle you the beste counseyll of ony man lyuynge Merlyn anone was sente after & came to the kynge. And the kynge tolde hym all his counseyll and his wyll. Syr sayd Mer­lyn. I shall doo so moche thrugh crafte that I can / that I shalle make you come to nyght [...] the castell of. Tyntagyll / & shall haue all yo [...] wyll of that lady.

How vter begate on Igreyne / that [...]as the Erles wyf of Cornewaylle Arthur.

MErlyn thrugh craft y^t he co [...] [...] the kynges fygure in [...] [...] of the Erle / and Vlfin Garlois [...] in to the fygure of Iorda [...] [...] erles chambrelayne / so that ec [...] [...] transfygured in to others lyke [...] [...] Merlyn had soo done / he sayde [...] Syr sayd he / now ye may goo [...] [...] castell of Tyntagyll & axe ene [...] [...] your wyll. The kynge toke pry [...] [...] [Page] to gouerne and lede to a knyght that he moche loued / & tooke his waye towarde the castell / & with hym toke Vlfin his Chambrelayne and Merlyn / & whan they came thyder the porter demyd it had ben hys owne lorde. And whan tyme came for to go to bedde / the kynge went to bedde with Igreyne the erles wyf and dyde with her alle his wyll. And begate vpon her a sone that was called Arthur. And vppon the more we the kynge tooke his leue of the lady & wente ayen to hys hoste. And the same nyghte that the kynge laye by Igreyne in bedde that was the erles wyf the kynges men gaaf a gre­te assawte vnto the castell. And the erle & hys men manly them defended. But at the laste it befell so / that in the same assawte the erle hym self was slayne & the castell taken. ¶And the kynge anone torned againe to Tyntagill and spowsed I greyne with moche honour & made her quene ¶And soone after tyme came that she sholde be lyuered & bare a chylde a sonne y^t was called Arthur. & after gate on her a dou­ghter that was called Amya▪ / And whan she came to aege / a noble. Baron that was lorde of Lyons weded her. ¶whan Vter longe ty­me had regned / ther came vpon hym a grete sykenesse as it were a sorowe. ¶And in y^e me­ane tyme those that had to kepe Octa y^t was Engistes sone & Ossa his brother / that then̄e were in pryson / they lete them go for grete yef­tes that they them yaue & went wyth thē. And whan tho two brethern were escaped & were in to theyr owne countree agayne / Thenne they ordeynede them a gret power of folke and began for to warre ayen vpon the kynge.

¶How kyng Vter those A loth to kepe the londe of. Brytayne / whyle that he was seke / for as moche as he might not for his syknesse.

ANd for as moche as kynge Vter was syke & myght not helpe hym self / he or­ [...] Aloth sone of Eleyne that tho was cho [...] [...] to be wardeyne and chyeftayne of alle [...]. And soo he anone and all hys Bry­ [...] [...]mbled a grete hoste & yaue bataylle to [...] his folke / but Octa at the last was [...]. ¶It befell thus after warde / [...] [...]ytons had dedignacion of Aloth [...] [...]othe to hym attendaūt. wherfore [...] [...]as anoyed wonder sore & lete put [...] in the hoste amonges his folke [...] [...]de hym to. Vereloyne y^t tho was a fayre cyte / there that saynt. Albon was mar­tred. And after was the cytee destroyed wyth paynems thrugh warre· & thyther they hadde sente. Octauian and. Ossa & ther people. And entered in to the towne / and lete make sure y^e yates / & there they helde them. And the kynge came & them besyeged / & made a strōge assaw­te / but the that were within manly theym def­fended / ¶The kyng lete ordeyne his gunnes and his engynes for to breke the walles / & the walles were soo stronge that no man myghte them mysdo. ¶Octa & his people had grete despyte / that a kynge lyenge in a letere had the ym besyeged. And they toke counseyll among them for to stande vp in the morowe erly and come out and yeue batayll to the kynge / & soo they dyde. And in that batayle were both Oc­ta and Ossa slayne / & all the other y^e escaped a lyue fledde in to Scotlonde / & made Colegyn theyr chyeftayne. & the Saxons y^t were a lyue & escaped fro the batayll / brougth ayen a grete strēgth & amōge thē they sayd that if kyng Vt were deed they sholde well conquere the londe and thought to enpoysen the kynge / & ordey­ned men for to do this dede / & yaue them of yef tis grete plente this thynge to do. And they ordeyned them thyderwarde there that y^e kynge was dwellyng / and clothed them in poore we­de the better all for to spede theyr fals purpose But neuertheles all theyr falsenes & subtylte they myght neuer come to nygh y^e kyng. But so at the last they aspyed that the kynge dran­ke noo other lycoure but only water of a clere wel tha [...] was nyghe besyde & y^e fals traytours vpon a daye preuely wente to the welle & put therin poyson / soo that all the water was en­poysoned. And anone after as the kynge had dronke of that water / he began to swelle / and soone after he deyed: and as many as dranke of that water deyed also. And anone as thys was aspyed folke of the towne lette stoppe the welle of euermore. ¶whan y^e kynge was deed his folke bare hym to Stonhenge wyth grete solempnyte of bysshops and barons that we­re there hym to burye besyde Aurilambros hys bro [...]her. And after torned ayen tho euerycho­ne and sent after his sone: and they made him kyng of the londe with moche reuerence after his faders deth: the .xvii. yere of his regne.

¶How kynge Arthur that was the sone of Vter was crowned after his faders deth: and [Page xxxvii] how he droue Colegryn and the Saxons and Cheldri [...] of A [...]mayne out of this londe

As Arthur was made kyng of the londe / he was but yonge of aege of .xv. yere / but he was fayr and bolde and dough­ty of body. And to me­ke folke he was good and curteys / and lar­ge of spendinge / & made hym welle beloued amonge them there that yt was nede / & whan he began to regne heswore truely that y^e. Saxons neuer shold haue reste ne peas tyll that he hadde dryuen them out of [...]he londe. And assē ­bled a greate hoste and fought wyth Colegryn the whyche after y^e tyme that Octa was deed the Saxons mayntened. And thys Colegryn was dyscomfyted & fledde vnto yorke & tooke the towne / & there hym helde. And the kyng besyeged hym there but he myght no thynge spe­de for the cyte was so strong. And they wythin the towne kept the cyte well & orpedly. ¶And in the mene tyme Colegryn lette the towne to Bladulf & f [...]ledde hymselfe to Cheldryk y^t was kynge of almayne / for to haue of hym socour. And the kynge assembled a grette power & ca­me & arryued in Scotlonde with .xv. hondred shyppes. And whā Arthur wyst of these tydynges that he had not power & strength ynough to fyght ayenst. Cheldrik / he lete be the syege & went to London / & sent anone his letters to y^e kynge of lytell Brytayne that wys called Ho­well hys neuewe hys systers sone / that he shol­de come to hym with all the power that he myghte. And he assembled a grete hoste and arry­ued at Southampton. And whan kynge Ar­thur it wyst he was gladde ynough & wente ayenste them / & them receyued wyth moche ho­nour. Soo that those two hostꝭ mette & assembled them / & tooke theyr waye euen vnto. Ny­choll that Cheldryk had besyeged / But it was not taken. And they came vpon cheldrik & his people or they wyst where that they were / and them egerly assaylled. ¶The kynge Cheldrik and his men defended hym manly by theyr power. But kyng Arthur & hys men slewe so ma­ny Saxons / hat neuer was seen suche slaughter / & Cheldrik & hys men that were left alyue fledde a waye. And kynge Arthur them purse­wed and droue them out in to a wood tha they myghte no ferder passe. ¶Cheldrik & hys mē sawe well that they were brought in to moche dysease / & them yelded to kynge Arthur in thys manner wys. That he sholde take theyr horses theyr armour / & all that they had / and they must only go on foot in to theyr shyppes. And so they wolde goo home in to theyr owne londe / and neuer come ayen in to this londe. ¶And vpon assuraunce of thys thynge they yaue hym good hostages. ¶And Arthur by counseyll of his men graunted this thynge: & receyued y^e hostages: & therupon y^t other wen­te to theyr shyppes. And whan they were in y^e hyghe see the wynnde chaunged as the deuyll it wolde: & they torned theyr nauy & cam ayen in to this londe & arryued at Totnesse: & wente out of the shyppes and tooke the londe: and clene robbed it: and moche people slewe: and tooke all the armour that they myghte fynde. And soo they wente foorth tyll they came vnto Bathe. But the men of the towne shytte faste theyr yates / and wolde not suffre theym to co­me wy thinthe towne· And they deffended thē well and orpedly ayenst them

¶How Arthur yaue bataylle vnto the Saxons whan they came agayne in to this londe: & had besyeged the towne of Bathe and them ouercame.

ANone as. Artur herde thys tydynges he lete hange y^e hostages / & le [...]t Howell of Brytayne his neuewe / for to kepe the mar­che to warde Scotlonde with halfe his people and hymself wente to helpe & rescowe the towne [Page] of. Bathe. whan he [...]me thyther he yaue a strong batayll to Cheldrik and slewe almoost all the people that he had· For no man myght hym wythstonde ne endure vnder y^e stroke of his swerde. And there bothe were slayne Colegryn and Bladulf hys brother / and Cheldryk fledde thens & wold haue gone to hys shyppes ¶But whan Arthur it wyst / he toke .x. thou­sande knyghtes to Cador y^t was erle of Corne waylle for to lette & stoppe hys comynge. And Arthur hymself wente towarde the marche of Scotlonde. For messengers tolde hym that y^e Scottes had besyeged Howell of. Brytoyne there that laye syke / & therfore he hasted hym thyther warde. ¶And Cador purse wed after Cheldryk / & toke hym er he myght come to his shyppes & slewe Cheldrik and his people. And whan Cador had done thys vyage / he hasted hym ayen to warde. Arthur as faste as he my­ghte / & founde hym in Scotlonde there that he had rescowed Howel of Brytayn but y^e Scottes were ferre wythyn Nounref / & there they helde them a whyle. But Arthur them purse­wed. And they fledde thens in to Limoigne / y^t were in that countre .xl. Iles & grete plente of byrdes / and grete plente of Egles that were wonte to crye and fyght togyders / and make greate noyse whan folke came to robbe that londe / and warne as moche as they myght / & so they dyde. For the Scottes were to grete ra­uenours / that they tooke all that they myghte fynde in the londe of Lymoygne wythout ony sparynge / and there with charged ayen the folke in to Scotlonde for to wende.

¶How kynge Arthur axed of Merlyn y^e ad­uentures of .vi. of the last kynges that were to regne in Englonde / & how y^e londe shold ende

Syr sayd Merlyn. In the yere of the Incarnacyon Ihesu Cryste .M·CC.xv. shall come a lambe out of wynchestre / shall haue a whyte tonge and true lyppes / and he shal haue wryten in his herte holynes. This lam­be shall make many goddes houses / & he shall haue peas the moost parte of his lyfe. And he shall make one of the fayrest places of y^e wor [...] ­de / that in his tyme shall not fully [...]e made an ende of. ¶And in the ende of his lyf wulf of a straunge londe shall doo hym moche harme and sorowe thrugh warre. But at the ende the lambe shall be mayster thrugh helpe of a reede foxe / that shall come out of the North west / & hym shall ouercome / and the wulf shall dey [...] in water. And after that tyme the lambe shall lyue noo whyle / but he shall deye. ¶His heed shall be in a straūge londe. And the londe shall be wythout a gouernour a lytell tyme

ANd after this shall come a dragō medled with mercy & also with woodnesse And that shall haue aberde as a gote that shal gyue in Englonde a shade we / and shall kept the londe fro colde & hete / and hys owne foo [...] shall be sette in wyke & that other in London. And he shall enbrace Inhabitaunces. And he shall open his mouth to warde walys. And the tremblynge of the hydour of his mouthe / hys [...]eres shall stretche to warde many habytacy­ons and countrees. And his breth shall be full swete in straūge londe. And in his tyme shall the ryuers renne blood and with brayne. And he shall make ī places of his londe walles that shall do moche harme vnto hys seed after hys tyme. ¶And thenne shall there come a people out of the North west durynge his regne that shall be ladde thrughout a wycked hare / that the dragon shall do crowne kynge / that after­warde shall flee ouer the see wyth out comynge ayen for drede of the dragon. ¶And in that tyme the sonne shall be as reed as an blood that see thorughout all the worlde / that shall beto­ken grete pestylence & dethe of folke / thorugh dynt of swerde. And that people shall be faderles / tyll the tyme that the dragon deye thrugh an hare: that shal meue ayenst hym warre vnto the ende of his lyf: that shall not fully be ended in his tyme ¶This dragon shall be holde in his tyme the best body of the worlde. and he shall deye besyde the marches of a straūge lon­de: and the londe shall dwel faderles wythout a good gouernour: and men shall wepe for his dethe: from the yle of. Shepey to the hauen of Marcyll. ¶wherfore Alas alas shall be theyr songe of faderles folke: that shall ouer lyue in his londe destroyed.

ANd after this dragon shall come a go­te out of. Kar that shall haue hornes & a berde of syluer / and there shall come out of his nosethryll a dompe that shall betoken hungre and sorowe and grete dethe of the people. And moche of his londe in the begynnynge of hys regne shall be wasted. ¶Thys gote shall go ouer vnto Fraūce: and shall open the flou­re of his lyf and deth. ¶In his tyme there shal [Page xxxviii] aryse an E [...]e in Corne way [...]e that shall haue fethers of go [...]e / that of pryde [...]ha [...] be without pere of the londe. And he shall despy [...]e lordes of blood. And a [...]er he shall flee shamefully by a beer at G [...]uer [...]e [...]h / and after shall be made brydges of men vpon the costes of the [...]ee and stones shall falle from castelles / & many other townes shall be made playne. ¶In his tyme shall seme that the beer shall brenne / and a ba­tayll shall be done vpon the armes of the see in a felde ordeyned as a sheld And at that batayl shall deye many whyte heedes / wherfore thys batayll shall be called the whyte batayll. And the forsayd beer shall do thys gote moche har­me / & it shall come out of the South west & of his blood. Thenne shall the go [...]e lese moche / & of hys londe / tyll that the tyme that frenshyp shall hym ouercome. And thenne shall he close hym in a lyons skynne / & thenne shall he wynne that he had before lost & more therto. For a people shall come out of the North west y^t shall make the gote so sore aferde thet he shall be in grete perplexite. And he shal aduenge hym on his enmyes thrugh coūseyll of two owles that fyrste shall be in peryll for to be vndone. But the olde owle shall wende away a certayne ty­me / & after he shal come ayen in to this londe. These two owles shall do grete harme to many one / and soo they shall counseyll the gote to arere warre ayenst the forsayd beer. And at y^e last the go [...]e and the owles shall come at Bur­ton vppon Trent / and shall go ouer / and for drede the beer shall [...]ee & a swanne wyth hym fro his company to Burton warde the north and there they shall be with an harde shoure. And thenne shall the swanne be take & slayne wi [...]h sorowe and the beer taken heeded al ther next his [...]est / that shall stande vpon broken brydge / on whom the sonne shall cast hys bee­mes. And many shall hym seke for vertue that from hym shall come. ¶In y^e same shall deye for sorowe [...] [...]are ap [...]ple of his londe / soo that londes shall be vpon hym y^e more bo [...]der after warde. And those two owles shall doo moche sorowe to the foresayd floure of lyf / & her shall lede in to dystrestre / so that shall passe ouer the see into Fraunce / for to make peas bytwene the gote and y^e flouredelyse / and there she shall dwelle tyll a tyme that her sede shall come and set [...]e her: [...] they shall be styll tyll a tyme: that they shalle them clothe wyth grache. And they shall fethe the owles and shall put them to dy­spytous deth. And after shall this gote be broughte to dysease and great Anguysshe: and in sorowe he shall lyue all his lyf

AFter thys gote shall come out of wyn­desore a boore: that shall haue an heed o [...] a whyte lynons herte: and pyteous lokynge ¶His vysage shalle be reste to lyke men. Hys breeste shall be staunchynge of thyrste to tho that be thrysty: His worde shall be gospell. hys herynge shall be meke as a lambe· In the fyr­ste yere of his regne he shall haue grete payne to Iustefye thē that ben vntrue. ¶And in his tyme shall hys londe be multeplyed wyth aly­auntes. And this boore thorugh fyresnesse of hys herte that he shal haue: shal make wulues to become lambes. & he shall be called thorugh out of y^e worlde Boore of holynesse / fyers [...]esse of noblynesse and of mekenesse. And he shall mesurably al that he shall do vnto the brough of Ierusalem. ¶And he shall whette his teeth vpon the yates of Pards: and vpon foure londes. Spayne shall tremble for drede. Gascoy­ne shall swete. In Fraūce he shal put his wynge. His grete tayle shall reste in Englonde softly. Almayne shalle quake for drede of hym. ¶This boore shal yeue bantelles to two townes of Englonde: and shall make the Ryuer renne wyth blood & brayne. And he shall ma­ke many medowes reede: and he shall gette as moche as his auncetours dyd. And er that he dyed / he shall bere thre crownes / and he shall put a londe in greate subiecyon / And after it shall be releued / but not in his tyme. ¶This boore after he is deed for hys doughtynesse / shall be entyred at Coleyne. And his lōde shall be fulfylled of all good.

AFter this boore shall come a lambe: y^t shalle haue f [...]et of leed: and an heed of brasse: and herte of loppe a swynes skynne. And an harde. And in hys tyme hys londe shal be in peas: the fyrste yere of his regne he shall do make a cytee that all the worlde shall speke there of. ¶This lambe shall lese in his tyme a grete parte of his londe thrugh an hydeous wulfe: but he shall recouer it: and yeue a lord­shyp to an Egle of his londe and this egle shal welle gouerne it tyll the tyme that pryde shall hym ouercome. Alas the sorwe: For he shalle deye of hys brothers swerde. And after shall the londe falle to the forsayd lambe: that shall [Page] gouerne the londe in peas all hys lyues tyme. And after he shall deye / and the londe be ful­fylled of all maner of good.

AFter this lambe shal come a mold warpe / cursyd of goddes mouth / a caytyf / a cowarde / an haare / He shall haue an elderly skynne as a gote / & vengeaunce shall falle vpon hym for syn̄e. ¶In the fyrst yere of his regne he shall haue of all good gret plente in hys londe and to warde hym also / And in hys londe he shall haue grete praysyge / tyll the tyme that he shal surffre his people lyue in to moche pryde without chastysynge / wherfor god wyl be wrothe· ¶Thenne shall aryse vp a dragon of the North / that shall be full fyerse / and shal meue warre ayenst the forsayd mold warpe / & shal yeue hym batayle vpon a stone. This dragon shall gadre ayen in to his company a wulfe / that shall rome out of the west to meue warre ayenst the forsayd mold warpe in hys syde / so shall the dragon / and bynde theyr tayles to gyders ¶Then̄e shall come a lyon out of Ir­londe / that shall falle in company wyth them. And thenne shall tremble the londe that shall becalled Englonde as an aspen leyf / And in that tyme shal castelles be felled downe vpon Tamyse. And ye shall seme that Seuerne shal be drye / for the bodyes that shall falle deed there in / The foure chyef floodes in Englonde shall renne in blood. And grete drede shall he / & anguysshe that shall aryse. ¶After the mold warpe shall flee and y^e dragon. The lyon and the wulf shall them dryue a waye / and the lon shall be wythout them. And the mold warpe shall haue no maner of power sauf only a shyppe wherto he maye wynder ¶And after that he shall goo to londe where the see is wythdra­we. And after that he shall yeue the thyrde parte of hys londe / for to haue the fourth parte in peas and in reste. And after he shall lyue in sorowe all his lyftyme· ¶And in his tyme the h [...]r bathes shal become colde. And after that shall the mold warpe deye auenturously and sodenly. Alas for sorowe / for he shall be drow­ned in a flood of the see His seed shall be come faderles in straunge loude for euer more. And then shall the londe be departed in to thre par­tes / that is to saye / to the wulf / to the dragan / and to the lyon. And soo shall it be for euermo­re· And thenne shalle thys londe be called the [...]de of Conquest. And so shall the ryghe heyres of Englonde ende

¶How Arthur ouercame Guillomer that was kynge of Irlonde. And how the Scottes became his men

THen̄e whan Guillomer that was kyn­ge of Irlonde herde tydyges y^e kynge Arthur was entred at Glastenbury: he ordeyned agrete pewer of Irysshmen and came to the see wyth his Irysshe people; & soo came in to Scotlonde ouer the see & arryued fast there by that kynge. Arthur was with his hoste: & a none as he wyst therof: he went to warde hym and yaue hym bataylle & ouercame hym ano­ne ryght. And Guillomer fledde wyth hys mē agayne in to Irlond. And whan thys was done and dyscomfyted hym Arthur torned hym ayen there that he was: in to the place there that he had lefte the Scottes and wolde haue them all slayne. But the bysshopes: abbottes and other folke of y^e countree and ladyes open heeded came before kynge. Arthur and cryed hym mercy and sayde. Syre gentyll kynge & myghty: haue mercy and pyte vpon vs. And as yourself be of the ryght lawe to holde and mayntene Crystendome. For full grete dyshoudur yt shold be to slee hym that byleueth in almyghty god as ye do. And for goddes loue ha­ue mercy and pyte on vs & suffre vs. For we haue hadde moche sorowe and payne. For the Saxons haue many tymes passed thrugh our londe. But that is not ynough to you: for of­ten tymes they haue done vs sorowe & dysease For our castelles they haue taken and our beestes slayne & eten: and moche harme they haue vs done And yf ye wolde vs now slee: it were none honour to a kynge to slee them that crye hym mercy. For ynough ye haue done to vs & haue vs ouercome. And for y^e loue of god y^t ye wyll suffre vs for to lyue: & haue mercy on cry­sten people y^t byleue in Cryst as ye do. ¶whā kynge. Arthur herde this sorowe: he had pyte of them & yaue them lyf & lymme without ony more harme. And they fell downe to his feet & thanked hym and became his lyege men: and he toke of them homage. ¶And after y^e kynge Arthur torned ayen wyth hys hoste the came vnto yorke: and made there hys bydynge du­rynge that vyage. And tho gaue he al Logrys to Aloth that had spowsed his syster and other gyftes grete plente· And tho was Gawen his cosyn but of youge [...]ege. And to all hys other [Page xxxix] men that hym had serued in hys warre / he ga­ue ryche gyftes / and thanked them moche of all theyr good seruyce

¶How kynge Arthur spowsed Gūnor that was Gūnors cosyn Erle of Corne wayle / and after he conquered of Guillomer all Irlonde.

ANd whan Arthur hadde broughth ys lond in peas and rest and in good sta­te / and all was well in euery countre. Tho toke and wedded a wyf that was called Gūnor and made her quene / a fayre lady and a gen­tyll that Cador the Erle of Corne wayle hadde nourysshed ī his chambre that was his cosyn. But neuer they had childern togyder. And neuertheles kyng Arthur loued her wonder well & deyrly And anone as wynter was passed / he lete assemble a grete host / and all his Barons and sayd that he wolde goo in to. Irlonde for to conquere the londe. And he trayed not lon­ge that he passed ouer in to Irlone. ¶And Guillomer the kynge lete assemble a grete ho­ste & yaue bataylle to kynge Arthur / but Guyllomer was dyscomfyted and yelded hym ot y^e kynge and became his man / and to hym dyde fewte and homage and of hym helde alle that lond fro that tyme for warde. And after peas­kynge. Arthur ferthermore & conquered But londe and Islonde / and toke homage of the folke and of the londe / and there dwelled .xii. ye­re in peas & regned wyth Ioye & myrthe. And there warred no man ne woman vpon hym. And he became so curtys and large & honorable / that the Emperours courte of Rome / ne none other thrugh out all the worlde was not accoūted to kyng Arthurs / that ony mā wyst of / ne none soo well praysed· And therfore the beste knyghtꝭ of all maner a londes came vnto hym there for to dwelle. And he theym recey­ued with good wyll and reuerence. ¶And all the knygehtes were so good that noo man knewe the werste. And therfore kyng Arthur made a rounde table that whan they sholde sytte at ther meete / all sholde be ylyke hyghe and e­uenly serued at the table that nōe of them sholde make auaūt that one of them were hygher thanne an other. And kynge Arthur hadde at that table Brytons & Frenshmen. Normans and Flemynges. Burgoyns Mausers & Lo­therins / and of all the londes a thys halfe the mount Goryt: and of hys londe of Brytayne and of the grete Corne wayle: of walys and of Irlonde: and of Scotlonde And shortly to tell of all the londes that woldes worshyp chyualry: suche came to kynge Arthurs courte.

¶How kynge Arthur yede into Fraunce and conquered that londe of. Froll y^t was a Romayne: and how he slewe hym.

Syth it befell that thrugh counsell of hys barons and lordes: kynge Arthur wolde conquere alle Fraunce that tho was called Galle thrugh Romaynes that tho helde y^e lon­de in theyr power & in theyr gouernnūce. And the Romayns had taken that londe to a noble knyȝt and a worthy of body: that was called Froll. And whan he wyst that Arthur came: he ordeoned an host of a grete power & fought with the kynge. And he & his folke were dys­comfyted and fledde vnto Parys & entred the cyte: and closed the yates & there helde them. ¶whan Arthur wyst that Froll was gone to [Page] Parys he pursued after & came thyder: & hym besyeged. But the cyte was so stronge & well arayed / & tho that were therin deffended the­ym well and manly. ¶Kynge Arthur dwelled there more than amonethe. And there was so moche people in the cyte that they dyspended all theyr vytayle that they had wythin. and so grete hungre became amonge them / that they deyed wenderly thycke within the cyte for hō gre. And came vnto Froll & prayed hym to be accorded with kynge. Arthur for to haue peas & they wolde yelde theym vnto hym & the cyte also. ¶Froll sawe y^t he myght no lenger holde the towne ayenst theyr wyll \ & trusted gretely vppon his owe strenth / and sent to y^e kynge Arthur that he shold come fyght with hym body for body / & so sholde they departe Fraunce by­twene them two. ¶Kynge Arthur anōe graū ted yt. And wolde not that none of hys people vndertoke the batayle for hym. ¶And vpon the morne both came wel arayed without Parys there that they sholde fyght. & anone they smote togyders so fyersly & so wel they fough on both sydes that no man demed the better of them / and soo it befell y^e Froll yaue Arthur suche a stroke y^t he kneled to the grounde wol­de he nolde he / And as Froll wounded kynge Arthur in the forhede y^t the blode felle downe by his eyen & his face. Arthur anone sterre vp hertely whan he felte hym hurte as a man y^t semed almoost wood. And he toke taburne hys good swerde / & drewe it vpon hyghe and yaaf Froll suche astroke that thyr with he claue his hede downe to the sholders so that his helme myght not be his warraunt / & so he fel downe deed in the place. And thenne tho of the cytye made grete sorowe for Froll. And euerychone yelded them to kynge. Arthur and the towne also & became hys men / & dyd to hym homage and feaute. And he receyued them & tooke of them goodly hostages. And kynge Arthur af­ter that wente forthe with his hoste & conque­red Augien & Angyers. Gascoyne. Pehito. Nauerne and Burgoyne. Berry. Lotherne Tu­ryn and Peythers / and all the other londes of Fraunce he conquered all hooly. whan he had conquered & taken by homages and feautes / he torned ayen to Parys and there he dwelled longe tyme / & ordeyned peas longe tyme ouer all y^e coūtree / & thrugh al Fraūce. ¶And whā peas was made ouer all thrugh hys noble knyghthode that he hadde / and also for hys owne worthynes. And no man were he neuer so grete a lorde durste not meue warre ayenst hym nother to aryse for to make the londe of Fraū ­ce inquyete. And in peas he dwelled there .ix. yere / and dyde many greate wonders / and repreued many proude men and euyll tyraūtes theym chastysed after theyr demerytes

¶How kynge Arthur auaunced all his men that had trauaylled in his seruyce.

ANd after warde yt befel thus at Ester there that he helde a feest at. Paras / & rychely he gan auaūce his knyghtes for y^e ser­uyce that they had hym holpen in hys cōquest. He yaue to hys stewarde that was called. Kay Augien & Angoers. And he yaue to Bed were his. Butler. Normandye / that tho was called Neustrye And to Holdē in hys chambrelayn he yaue Flaunders & Mance And to Dorell hys cosyn he yaue Bolayne. And to Rycharde hys enewe he yaue Pountyf / and to all other he yaue large londes and fees after they were of estate / And whan Arthur had thus his knyghtes feoffed / at Aperyll next after suynge he ca­me ayen in to Brytayne hys owne londe. And after at wytsontyde sewynge by counseyll of his Barons / he wolde be crowned kynge of Glomergon / and helde a solempne feest. And lete somone barons erls and knyghtes / y^t they shold come thyder euery chone. and there was Scater kynge of Scotlande. Cad were kynge of South waylys. Guiliomer kyng of North walys. Maded kyng of Irlonde. Malgamus kynge of Gutlonde. Achelles kynge of Islon­de. Aloth kyng of Denmarke. Gone was kynge of Norwaye / and Hell hys cosyn kynge of Dorkeney. Cador kynge of lytell Brytayne. Mor with Erle of Cornewaylle. Mauran er­le of Gloucetre. Guerdon erle of wynchestre. Boell erle of Hartforde. Vrtegi erle of Oxforde. Cuisall erle of Bathe. Ionas Erle of Che­stre. Enerall erle of Dorchestre. Kymare Erle of Salysbury. waloth erle of Caunterbury. Iugerne erle of Chechestre. Arall erle of Ley­ceter / and the erle of wer wyke / & many other moo ryche lordes. Brytons there came moo / that is to saye. Dippon Donande. Gennes / & many other that be not named here were atte the feest. And many a fayre feest kynge arthur hadde holde before / but neuer none suche / ne soo solempne / and that lasted .xv. dayes wyth moche honoure and myrthe. ¶Of the letter y^t was sēt fro Rome to pryde to kynge Arthur

[Page xl]THe thyrde daye as kynge Arthur satte at his meet amonge his knyghtes and amonge them that satte at the feste / before thē cam in ·xii. men of age rychely arayed / and curteusly they salewed the kynge / and sayde they came fro Rome sente as massengers fro the Emperoure. And toke hym a letter that thus moche was to vnderstād· ¶Gretely vs mar­uaylleth arthur / that thou art ones so hardy with thyn eyen in thy heed to make open war­re or contake ayenst vs of rome / that owne all the worlde to redeme / For thou haste neuer yet before thys tyme proued ne assayed the streng­the of the Romās / and therfore though it shall in a lytell tyme. For Iulyus Cezar conquered all the londe of Brytayne / ayd toke therof truage / and our folke haue it longe I had / & nowe throughe thy pryde thou with holde it. wherefore we of Rome commaunde the that thou yt yelde ayen / and yet haste thou more foly done that thou haste slayne Froll that was our ba­ron of Fraunce with wrōge. And therfore all the comens of Rome warneth the & cōmaūde the vpon lyfe & lymme that thou in haste be at Rome amendes for to make of thy mysdedes that thou haste done. And it so be that thou co­me not we shall passe the hyll of Ioye with strē gthe / and we shall the seke where euer thowe may be founde / & thou shalt not haue a foot of londe of thyn owne / y^t we ne shall dystroye it / & afterwarde with thy body we shall do al our wyll. whan this letter was redde & all men it herde they were anoyed all y^t were at y^e solempne feste. And the Brytons wolde haue slayne y^e messengers / but the kynge wolde not suffre them & sayde / that y^e messengers sholde haue no harme / & may by reason none deserue But commaūded them to be worshypfully serued And after meet he toke coūseyll of kynges / er­les & barons / what answere he myght geue ayen to the messengers and they coūseylled him atones / that he shulde assemble a grete power of al y^e lōdes of whiche he had lordeshyp & mā ly auenge hym vpon the Emperour of the de­spyte that he had sēde hym suche a letter & they swore by god & by all his holy name that they sholde hym pursewe & bren̄e as moche as they myght And sayde that they wolde neuer fayle kynge Arthur / & rather to be deed. And they le­te wryte a letter to sende to the Emperour by the same messengers in this manere of wyse· Of the bolde answere that kynge Arthur sēte to the Emperour of Rome & to the Romans

VNderstondeth amonge you of Rome that I am kynge Arthur of Brytayne and freely it holde and shall holde. And at Ro­me hastely I wyll be / not to geue you truage / but for to axe truage. For Constantyne that was Eleyns sone that was Emperour of Ro­me & of all the honour that ther to belongeth. And Maximian kynge conquered all Fraun­ce and Almayne / and mount Ioye passed and conquered all Lombardy. And these two we­re myn auncetours / and that they helde and had. I shall haue thorught goddes wyll.

¶Of the reuerence that kynge Arthur dyde to the Emperours messengers.

ANd whan this letter was made & ense­aled / kynge Arthur to these messēgers & gaue grette yeftes / and after that the messengers toke theyr leue and wente thens / and ca­me to the courte of Rome agayne. And tolde the Emperour how worthely they were recey­ued And also of suche a ryall company that he hadde hym for to serue / and howe he was more ryally serued than the Emperour of Rome or ony other kynge lyuynge in all the worlde. ¶And whan the Emperour had ouersene the letter / and hadde harde what was therin and sawe y^t Arthur wolde not be ruled after hym. He lete assemble and ordeyne a grete hoste for to destroye kynge Arthur yf that he myghte. ¶And kyng Arthur as touchynge hys pow­er and partye / ordeyned hys power or knygh­tes of the table rounde.

How kyng arthur faught with a gyaūt ī spayne y^t was called Dinabus y^t slewe Eleyne that was kynge Howels cosyn of lytell Brytayne.

Kynge Arthur hadde not dwelled in that coūtree but a lytel tyme / y^t men hym tolde that there was come a greate gyaunt in to Spayne / & had rauysshed fayre. Eleyne that was cosyn vnto. Howell of lytell Brytayne. And hadde brought her vpon an hylle that ys called the mount of saynt Bernarde. And there was no man in that countree soo bolde ne so hardy that durste fyght with hym / ne come nye the place there y^t the gyaunt dwelled tha [...] was called Dinabus. And moche sorowe he dyde in the countree. ¶whan kynge Arthur heede this tydynges / he called to him Kay and Bedwere & cōmaunded them to go pryuely & espye where the gyaunt myght be foūde. And they came to the ryuage there that men sholde [Page] go to the mount / that was all enclosed a boute with water & yet is / & euer shall be. And they sawe a brennyge fyre vpon the hylle. And the­re was also an other hylle nye that / and there was vpon that an other fyre brynnyge. Kay & Bed were came to the next hylle / & foūde a wydowe open heeded syttynge besydes a tombe sore wepynge / & grete sorowe made. & ofte she sayd Eleyne eleyne. And Kay & Bed were axed what she was / & wherfore she made so moche sorowe and who laye in that tombe. ¶O syy­de she what sorowe & mysauenture fayre lor­seke ye here. For yf the. Gyaunt may you here fynde he wyl you slee anone. ¶Bestylle good wyf sayd they therof dysmaye you not but tell vs the south why that thou makest so moche sorowe & wepynge. ¶Syrs sayd she For a damosel that I nourysshed with my breest y^t was called Eleyne / y^t was nece to. Howell of Bry­tayne. And here lyeth the body in thys tombe that to me was taken to nourysshe. And soo there came a deuyll a Gyaunt & rauysshed her and me also / & ladde vs both with hym a way he wolde haue for layne that mayde that was yonge and tendre of aege but she myght it not suffre soo grete & so huge as the. Gyaunt was. And for certayne yf he come now as he is wō ­te to doo / he wyll you both now slee & therfore go ye hens. Thenne bespake these two messengers & sayd to her / wherfore goo ye not frome hens. ¶Certes sayde she whan that Eleyne deed the. Gyaunt made me to abyde and haūt his wyll / & I must nedes it suffre. And god it wote I do it not with my wyll / for I had leuer to be deed than with hym to deale / soo moche payne & sorowe I haue whan he me [...]oclyeth. ¶whan Kay and. Bed were had all that thys woman thē tolde / they torned ayen & came to kynge Arthur and tolde hym all that they had seen and herde. ¶Arthur anone toke them bothe wit hym and wente pryuely by nyght that none of his hoste wyste and came on the morowe erly to the. Gyaunt and faught wyth hym strongely / and at the laste hym slewe And Ar­thur badde. Bed were smyte of hys heed / and brynge it to the host to shewe it for a wonder / for it was soo grete and huge. ¶whan they came ayen to the hoste / they tolde wherfore they hadde ben out / and shewed to them the heed / and euery man was gladde and. Ioyefull of the worthy dede that kynge. Arthur had done that was theyr lorde. And Howell was full sorowfull for his nece y^t was so loste. And after warde whan he had space / he lete make a fay­re chapell of our lady ouer Eleyns tomebe.

¶How kynge. Arthur yaue bataylle to the Emperperour / in the whyche bataylle the Emperour hymself was slayne

ARthur and his people herde tydynges that the. Emperour had assembled a greate power / as well of sarasyns as of pay­nyms and crysten men. wherof the nombre was .lxxx. thousande hors men with foot mē. ¶Arthur and his people ordeyned faste forth theyr waye towarde the. Emperour and pas­sed. Normandy and. Fraunce vnto. Burgoy­ne / and wolde haue gone vnto the hoste. For men tolde hym that the. Emperours host wol­de come to Lucie. ¶The Emperour and hys hoste in the begynnynge of. August remeued from Rome / and came forthe ryght the waye [...]o warde the hoste ¶Tho came kyng Arthur spyes and sayde / yf that. Arthur wolde he sholde fynde the Emperour there faste by put they sayd. y^t the Emꝑour had so grete power wyth hym of kinges of y^e lōde of Paynems & also cristen peple y^t it were but folyt to kyng Arthur to mete with thē For y^e spyes tolde / y^t the emꝑour had fyue or six men ayenst one of his. ¶Kyng Arthur was blody & hardy / and for noo thyn­ge hym nysmayed and sayede. Goo we boldely in goddes name ayenste the. Romayns / that wyth them lede. Sarrasyns and. Paynems / that noo maner truste they haue in god / But only vpon theyr strengh. Go we now and se­ke them sharply in the name of almyghty god [Page xli] & slee we the▪ Paynems and crysten men that ben ayenst vs with thē for to destroye. Crystē men. And god shall vs helpe thē to ouercome For we haue the ryght [...]penyon / and therfore haue we truste in god. And we so that the en­myes that be to crystendome and to god may be destroyed and ouercome / & that men maye recorde y^e worthynesse of knyght hode. whan kynge Arthur hadde thus sayd / they cryed all wyth an hyghe voys. ¶God that is fader al­myghty worshypped be thy name without en­de. Amen. And graunt vs grace well for to do and to destroye oure enmyes that ben ayenst crystendome. In the name of the fader / the so­ne / and holy ghost. Amen. And god yeue hym neuer grace ne worshyp in the worlde / ne mercy of hym to haue / that thys daye shall faynte well for to smyte and egerly. And so they rode softly / & ordeyned his wynges well & wysely. ¶The Emperour herde telle that kynge. Ar­thur & his folke were redy appaerylled for to fyght with hym and how they were comynge He lete ordeyne hꝭ wynges ī the best wyse that he cowde And more trusted vpon his strenght than in god almyghty / & that was seen after­warde· For whan the two hostes mette / the. Emperour lost four of hys folke ayenst one of Arthur. And so many were slayne \ what on y^e one party & on that other / that it was grete pyte to wyte & to be beholde. ¶In thys batayll were slayne thrugh kynge. Arthurs fyue kyn­ges of the Paynems and of other wonder mo­che people / and kyng. Arthurs men fought so well / that the Romayns and paynems hadde nomore strengthe to wythstonde them / than .xx. shepe ayenst fyue wulues. ¶And so it befelle that in thys batayll in the shoure / that was wonder harde & longe durynge in that one sy­de and in that other / the. Emperour amonge them there was slayne / but ther was no man that wyste for very so the who hym slewe.

¶How kynge Arthur lete entyere his kny­ghtes that he had lost there in batayll / and how he sente the. Emperours body to. Ro­me that there was slayne in batayll

SO whan the. Romayns wyst that the Emperour was deed / they forsoke the felde & the paynens also. And kynge. Arthur after them chaced tyll it was nyght / & soo ma­ny of them slewe y^t it was wonder to tell. And the torned kynge Arthur ayen whan it was nyght & thanked god of hys victorye. And on the morowe he lete loke and serche all the felde for his knyghtes that he there lost. That is to saye. Borell Erle of Maunt. Bed were / and Kay / and. Lyegiers Erle of. Boleyne. Vorti­ger Erle of Baac. Aloth Erle of wynchestre. Cuisall Erle of Chestre / and after Holden Er­le of. Flaandres. These were the grete lordes that kynge. Arthur loste in that batayll / wyth other worthy knyghtes them amonge. And some he lete entere in abbayes by the countree / some he lete to be borne in to theyr owne coū ­tree. ¶And the Emperours body he lete take & put vpon a beyr & sente it to Rome. And say­de to y^e Romayns / that for Brytayne & Fraū ­ce whiche he helde: other truage wolde hen o­ne paye. ¶And yf they axe [...] hym ony other truages: ryght suche truage he wolde theym payne. ¶The kynge lete bere Kay to Kenen his owne castel & there hym entered. And Leygier was borne to. Boleyne there he was lor­de. And Holden was borne to Flaunders: there he was entered: And all the other he lete en­tere wyth moche honour in abbayes & in houses of relyon in the coūtre that they were slay­ne. ¶And Arthur hymself soiourned that sa­me yere in. Bourgoyne with his hoste & thou­ghte the same yere folowynge to passe the mo­unt. Ioye: & haue gone to. Rome also to haue taken the Cyte and haue put the Romoyns in subiecyon: but the wycked tyraunt. Mordred hym lette: as afterye shall here

¶How the traytour. Mordred: to whome kynge. Arthur tooke hys londe to kepe and his castelles: helde them ayenst hym▪

AS Arthur had taken to. Mordred hys reame to kepe: & gone ayenst y^e Empe­rour of rome: & was passed y^e see. Mordred a­nōe toke homages & feates of all theym y^t we­re ī this londe: & wolde haue had this londe to his owne vse: & toke castelles about: & lete thē be arayed. & after thys falsenesse he dyde an o­ther grete wronge: for ayenst y^e lawe of crystē te he tooke hys owne emys wyf as a traytour shold: ordeyned him a grete host ayēst arthurs comyng: to hold y^e londe ayenst hym with strē gthe for euer more: & to slee kyng Arthur yf he myght & sent by y^e see & by londe: & lete assēble paynems & crysten peple. And he sent to Sax­ons & to Danys for to helpe hym. & also. Mor­dred sent to Cheldrik to sende men to hy mour [Page] of. Saxon y^t was a worthy duke / & promysed hym yf that he brought wyth hym moche peo­ple he wylde graunte hym. Inherytaunce for euer / all the londe fro Humbre to Scotlonde / and all the londe that Engist hadde of. Vorti­gers ye [...]re / whan that he spowsed hys dough­ter. ¶And cheldrik came with a grete streng­the and power of people / and. Mordred had­de assembled also on his half / that they hadde .xl. thousande of stronge knyghtes whan that they hadde nede.

¶How Arthur enchanced Mordred the traytour and how he was slayne / and also kynge Arthur wounded to the deth.

AS thys tydynges came to kynge. Ar­thur there that he was in Bourgoyne he was full sore anoyed / and toke all Fraunce to Howell for to kepe with the half deale of his men. And prayed hym that he wold it kepe tyll he came ayen. For hymselfe wolde passe in to Brytayne / and auenge hym vpon. Mordred that was his traytour. And forth with Arthur wente his waye & came to wytsande / and ma­de his men to go in to shyppe and wolde haue arryued at Sandwyche / & brought with hym a grace host of Frēshemen also with his owne londe men / But or that he myght come to londe wyth his people that were come out of hys shyppes. Mordred was come wyth all his po­wer / and yaue a stronge batayll / soo that kyn­ge Arthur lost many a man are that he myght come to londe. For there was. Gawayne hys neuewe slayne / & Anguysshell that helde Scotlonde / and many other wherof kynge. Arthur was ful sory. But after they were come to londe. Mordred myghte not ayenst them endure. But anone was dyscomfyted & flydde thens the same nyght with his men / & vpon the morne came to· London. But tho of the cyte wol­de not suffre hym to come in. And from thens he fledde to wynchestre / and there he hym hel­de with his people y^t came with him. ¶Kynge Arthur lete take the body of. Gawyne his co­fyn / & the body of. Anguysshell / and lete y^e one be borne in to Scotlonde / and the other to Douer & buryed Anone after kynge. Arthur toke his waye for to destroye mordred / & he fledde thens in to Cornewayle. ¶And y^e quen Gun­ [...]or y^t was kyng Arthurs wyf y^t thosoiourned [...] yorke / herde y^e Mordred was fledde thens & that he might not endure ayenst kyng Arthur she was fore aferde & had grete doubte / & wyst not what was beste of all for to done. For she vnderstode well that her lorde kynge. Arthur wolde neuer of her for to haue marcy for y^e grete shame that she had done vnto hym / And toke her a waye pryuely with four men without moo / and came to. Karlyon / & there she dwel­led all there lyue / and neuer after was seen a­monges the folke her lyf duryng. ¶Kynge Arthur wyst that Mordred was fledde in to Cor­newayle / & lete sende after his men in to. Scotlonde and Northomberlonde vnto Humbre / and lete assemble folke without nombre / and came fro thens in to. Cornewayle to seke and pursewe after Mordred. ¶And Mordred had assembled to hym all the folke of. Cornewayle and had people without nombre [...] wyst that Arthur was comynge / and had leuer to deye and take his chaūce / than longer flee & abode and yaue an harde batayll to kynge. Arthur & to his people so that moche people was slayne what of one syde & what of that other / that no­man wyst who had the better party. But so it befell at the last that Mordred was slayne & al his folke / & the good chyualry that kynge. Ar­thur had gadred & nourysshed of dyuer londes and also the noble knyghtes of the rounde ta­ble / that so moche were praysed thorugh oute all the worlde were there slayne / & kynge Ar­thur hymself was wounded vnto dethe. But he lete hym to be borne to Auioun to be heeled of his woundes. And yet the. Brytons suppo­sed that he lyued in an other lond / and that he shall come yet and conquere alle Brytayne. ¶But certes this is y^e prophecye of Merlyn. He sayde that his deth shall be doubtous / and sayde sothe. For therof yet men haue doubte / and shall haue for euer more as men saye. For mē wote not wyther that he is on lyue or deed. ¶Arthur was borne at Auioun the .xxii. yere of his regne after the. Incarnacyon of our lorde Ihesu Cryste .v.C.xlvi. yere.

How kynge Arthur delyuered the reame vnto Constantyne the sone of Cador his neuewe

AS kynge Arthur wyste that he myght noo lenger regne / he lette come before hym Constantyne y^t was Cadors sone Erle of Cornewayle his cosyn & to hym betoke all his reame & toke him sayd / & bad hym therof to be kynge tyll that he came ayen / for as moche as [Page xlii] he had none heeyre of hys body begoten. And grete damage was it / that soo noble a kynge and soo doughty as he was / hadde noo chylde of his body begoten. But all thynge that god woll haue done must be done / whose name be blessyd wythout ende

¶How kynge Constantyne was vexed of Mordred two sones.

THis Constantyne was a noble knyght and a worthy of body. And tho two so­nes that. Mordred had begoten had grete en­uy of Constātyne that tho was crowned kyn­ge. And so it befell y^t they meued warre ayenst hym. And assembled a grete host of them that were before with Mordred / & had ben dryuen a waye / & that dyd moche sarowe & anguysshe thrughout all that londe. That one brother or­deyned / & purposed hym towarde the auncy­ent Cyte of London for to take y^e cyte And that other went to wynchestre. But Constantyne came to Lōdon & slewe hym y^t was there. And after he went to wȳchestre & slewe hym y^t was there also. So y^t bothe his enmyes were deed. ¶And whan Constantyne had regned well & worthely four yere / he deyed & lyeth at Lōdon.

¶Of the kynges Adelbryght & of Edell.

AFter kynge Constantynes dethe there were two kynges in Brytayne / y^e one was called. Adelbryght y^t was a danoys. And he helde the coūtree of. Norfolke &. Southfol­ke. That other hyght Edell & was a. Bryton \ and helde Nicholl. Lendeser / and all the londe vnto. Humbre. These two kynges faste war­red togyder / but after accorded they were and loued togyder / as they had ben borne of oo body. ¶The kynge Edell had a suster that was called Orewenne. And he gaf her thrught gre­te freodshyp to kyng. Adelbryght to wyf. And he begate vpon her a doughter that was cal­led. Argentyll. And in the thyrde yere after ca­me vpon hym a strange sykenesse that nedes he must deye. And he sente to kynge. Edell hys broder in lawe that he sholde come and speke wyth hym / and he came to hym wyth a good wyll. ¶Tho prayed he the kynge and coniu­red hym also in the name of god / That after whan he were deed / he sholde take hys dough­ter Argentyll and the londe / and that he kepte her welle / and nourysshe her in hys chambre. And whan she were of aege / she sholde be ma­ryed to the strongest and worthyest man that he myghte fynde / and thenne he sholde yelde vp her londe ayen. ¶Edell it graunted and by othe confermed hys prayer. ¶And whan Adelbryght was deed and enteryd / Edell too­ke the damoysell. Argentyll / and nourrsshed her in hys chambre: and she became as fayre as ony myghte be.

¶How kynge Edell maryed that da­moysell to a knaue of his kechyne.

THis kyng Edell that was vncle to Ar­gentyll: be thought how that he myght falsely haue the londe fro his nyce for euer more: and falsely aynst hys othe thought to dys­ceyue y^e damoysell: and to marye her to a kna­ue of his kechyne that was called Curan: and he became y^e worthyest and strongest man of body that ony man wyst in ony londe that tho lyued: and to hym he thought her shamfully haue maryed for to haue had her londe after­warde / but he was clene dysceyued. For thys Curan was Hauelockis sone that was kynge of. Kyrkelane in. Denmarke: and this. Curan conquered hys wyues londe after warde and slewe kyng Edel that was h [...] wyues vncle and had al her londe / as in an other place it telleth more openly: & he regned but .iii. yere for Sax­ons &. Danes hī slewe & that was grete harme to all Brytayn & Srytons bare hym to. Sto [...] henge and entyred hym honourably.

¶Of kyng Conan that was Curans cosyn.

AFter this Curan regned his cosyn Co­nan that was a wonder proude kny­ghte. And regned and coude haue noo maner of loue / but euer he was medlynge wyth hys people. And tooke his vncle with warre and slewe his two chyldern. ¶The Saxons war­red ayenst hym oftentymes: but he them ouer came: and soo he was in peas all his lyf tyme· And he regned .xiiii. yere: And after he deyed and lyeth at London.

¶Of kynge Cortyf & of Gurmonde that ca­me thorugh the paynems in to Brytayne.

AFter this Conan regned his cosyn cortyf that was behated of all his peple & no thynge beloued. & this. Cortyf lost all Bry­tayne thrugh warre. And ī his tyme fell y^e gre­te myscheyf in Brytayn y^e crystendom was destroyed & all y^e Brytons were dryuē out of the londe and the londe lost with out ony recouer. But after warde left the londe to the Saxons as ye afterwarde shall here. For in that tyme [Page] there was a paynem that was called Gormō ­de / that was the kynges sone Daufrices of the panems folke that hadde the reame after hys fader / & was kynge / sauf he bequaue & yaue it to his broder. And sayd that he wolde neuer be kynge / but yf that he myght gete and conque­re a reame in a straunge countree. For he was bolde & stronge of body. And of hym prophecyed Merlyn & sayde / that hesholde be a wulf of the see. And he lette assemble paynems wyth­out nombre / & lete appareylle shyppes / & wen­te by many londes / & toke homages & feautees of many. And so he wente by the see & conque­red many dyuerse londes. So that he came in to Irlonde / & conquered that lond / that often tymes warred vpon. Brytons / and Brytons vpon them & oft wonne & oft lost & yaue hosta­ges to Brytons. And so they sent to Gurmon­de there that he was in Irlonde / that he shold come in to Brytayne and helpe them ayenst y^e Brytons / to helpe them to delyuer that londe of them / & they wolde hym holde gladly for theyr lord. For he was a paynem / and they were paynems & the Brytons were crystened. well ought he them for to helpe / so as they were all of one lawe. whā Gurmonde herde this pray­er he hasted him as moche as he myght & arry­ued in Scotlonde / & came in to Northomber­londe there that the Saxons were dwellynge and they confermed the couenaūtes bytwene them that were made by othes & by hostages / for to bere hym true fay / & holde hym for lorde and paye to hym truage by the yere ¶Tho began the. Saxons and y^e. Affricans to destroye robbe and brenne townes / & destroye all then­g [...] in asmoche as they myght & spared neyther man woman ne chylde lerned ne lewde / But all they slewe / & caste downe townes castels & chirches / & so put they all the londe in grete destruccyon. And as soone as they myghte flee / they fledde thens as well poore as ryche / bys­shops / abbottes / chanons / & all other grete & smal / some in to lytell Brytayne / & some in to Cornewayle / all tho y^e shyppes myghht haue.

¶How the kynge. Gurmonde droue kyng Cortyf to Chechestre / & slewe the Brytons / & thrugh crafte & engyne gate the same towne.

COrtyf the kyng fledde thens in to Che­chestre that tho was stronge / and there helde hym .xx. dayes / & this Gurmonde came and it besyeged. But the cytee was so stronge that he myght not gete it by no maner of wy­se with engyne that they myght doo. Tho be­thought they vpon a subtylte for to brenne the towne. They made engynes wyth glewe of nettes / & toke pecys of thunder & of fyre & bon­de it to sparowes feet & than lete them flee and they anōe flewe & lodged thē in y^e towne ther y^t theyr nestis were / & in stackes & euesynges of houses / & y^e fyre began to kyndle & brente all y^e towne / And whan the. Brytons sawe that in euery syde they hyed them out & fought / but anone they were slayne and dyscomfyted / And whyle batayll dured the kynge pryuely hydde hym and stale awaye in to walys / & men wyst neuer where he became / and soo was the tow­ne of Chechestre taken and destroyed. And af­ter. Gurmonde wente and destroyed townes and cytees that neuer were after made ayen / as it is seen yet in many places of thys londe.

¶How thys londe was called Englonde for the name of Engyst / & how many kynges were made after in thys londe.

SO whan. Gurmonde had destroyed al the londe thrugh out: he yaue the londe to the Saxons: & anone they toke it with good wyll / for the Saxons longe tyme had desyred it. For asmoche as they wereof. Engistꝭ kyn­red that fyrst had all the londe of. Brytayne & lete them be called. Englyssmen: for by cause of Engistes name: & the lond they lete call Englonde in theyr langage: & the folke ben called Englyshmen: for asmoche as in thys tyme it was called Engistꝭ londe whan he had cōque­red it of. Vortiger: that spoused hys doughter But fro the tyme y^t Brute came fyrst in to Englonde: thys londe was called. Brytane: and the folke Brytons. But syth the tyme y^t thys Gurmonde conquered it eftsones and yaue it vnto the. Saxons: they anone ryght chaūged the name as before is sayde. And whan thys was done. Gurmonde passed ouer in to Fraū ­ce: & there conquered many londes: & destroy­ed all cristen peple there that he came. And the Saxons dwelled in this londe and began fast to enhabyte it at ther owne wyll. And they wolde haue made newe kyngis & lordes: but they myght neuer assent to haue only oo kynge for to be to them attendaunt / & therfore they ma­de many kynges in dyuerse shyres: as it was in Engistes tyme. The fyrste kyngdome was Kente: & that othe. Southsexe: and the thyrde [Page lxi] westsex / the fourth Eestsex / & the fyfth Nothū berlonde / and y^e sixth Estangle that is to saye Northfolke / and Southfolke and the seuenth Mercheryche / and that is the Erldoste of Ny­choll. Hūtyngdon. Herforde. Gloucetre. wynlchestre. wer wyke & Derby / and so departed all Englond in to .vii. partyes. ¶And after that it befell that tho kyngꝭ warred oft tymes togyder. And euer he that was strongest toke hym that was feblest / and soo it was longe tyme y^t they had noo kynge crowned amonge theym / ne no crysten man was tho amonge them / ne crystendome nather. But were paynems tyll that saynt Gregory was pope of: Rome / that had seen childern of the nacyon of Englonde in the cyte of Rome / that were wonder fayre creatures / & had grete wyll and desyre theym to beholde. And axed of y^e marchaūtes whens they were / and of what nacyon. And men tol­de hym that they were of Englonde / and In­glysshe they were called / but they & all the people of Englonde were paynems: and byleued not vpon god. ¶Alas sayde saynt Gregory: well maye they be called Englysshe: for they haue the vysages of angels and therfore well ought they to be crystened. And for this cause saynt Gregory theresente saynt. Austyn in to Englōde & .xl. good mē with hym that were of good lyf & holy men to preche & teche & to com­uetre the Englysshe people & them to torne to god: & that was in the .vi. yere that saynt Gre­gory had be pope of Rome / that is to saye / of­ter thyn carnacyon of our lorde Ihesu Cryste .v.C.lxxxv. yeres as the Cronycle telleth.

¶How saynt Austyn baptysed and con­uerted kynge Adelbryght and the bysshoppes that he made his felowes.

AS saynt Austyn came fyrste in to. En­glonde / he arryuen in the yle of Tenet and so passed forth & came vnto Caunterbury and there soyourned. And kynge Adelbryght of Kent that was the lygnage of Engist good­ly receyued saynt Austyn & hys felowes wyth moche honour / and them foūde all that them neded. And more ouer he yaue theym a fayre place / that now is called the abbay of. Shynt Austyn / in whiche place he lyth hym self shry­ned. ¶This kynge Adelbryght was a good man & wyth good wylle herde saynt Austyns predycacyons / and yaue hym leue to preche thrughout all hys londe before sayd of Kente / to torne and conuerte to hym all y^e people that he myght. ¶It befelle soo after thorugh god­des grace / that in lytell tyme the kynge hym­self was conuerted to god / and all hys peop of his londe were baptysed. And in the meane whyle the peple torned them to god. ¶Saynt Austyn came to. Rochestre / & there he preched the worde of god. And the paynems therfore hym scorned / and caste vpon hym reygh tayl­les / so that all his mantell was hanged full of these reygh tayles / and for more dyspyte / they caste vpon hym the guttes of reyghes & other fysshe. wherfore the good man Saynt Austyn was sore anoyed and greued. And prayed to god that all tho chyldern of that cyte that sholde be borne after warde / that is for to saye in the of Rochestre / myght haue taylles and soo they hadde And whan the kynger herde of this vengeaunce that was falle thrugh saynt Au­styns prayer. He lete make an house in the ho­nour of almyghty god / wherin wymmen sholde be delyuered of theyr childern at the bryges ende / In the whiche hous yet wymmen of the cyte ben delyuerde of chylde. ¶whan that sa­ynt Gregory hadde hrede tell how the Englysshe people were torned to god & comuerted he sente vnto saynt. Austyn his pallyon by a b [...]s­shop / that was called Paulin and made hym Prymate & Archebysshop of Englonde And sente worde that he sholde ordeyne & make dysposynge the londe. And anone Austyn had the pallyon of the dygnyte of the Archebysshyp. He made two bysshops of his felowes that ca­me with hym fro Rome & one was called Mel­lite & he dwelled at London & that other was called Iustin that helde the dygnyte at. Rochestre. And this bysshop Mellite tho went to preche in to Estsex and erystened the kynge of the countree that was called Sicwith that was kynge Adlebrytes cosyn hys systers sone. ¶Thys Iustyn wente to preche in Southse [...] and torned moche of the people to god. And Saynt Austyn hymselfe preched thorugh out Englonde.

¶How saynt Austyn wente in to waels there the Brytons were / & how they wolde not beobedyent tothe. Archebysshop of Caūterbury.

SO whan all Englonde was crystened and torned to god / saynt Astuyn went in to that londe there that the Brytons were for to kepe them frome Englysshmen / that is▪ [Page] to saye in to ways. And there he founde mon­kes & abbayes and .vii. bysshops. For y^e Bry­tons alwaye destroyed the crysten people that saynt Austyn had conuerted. And he sayde to the bysshops that he was a Legate of Rome & Prymate of all. Englonde / & that they sholde by all reason to hym be obedyenc & they sayde they nolde / but to the. Archebysshop of Carly­on they wolde. They wolde neuer for noo maner thynge be obedyent to the Englysshe men For the Englysshemen they sayde ben our ad­uersaryes & our enmyes & haue dryuen vs out of our countree / & weben crysten men & euer haue be. And the Englysshemen haue euer be paynems / but now of late that they ben con­uerted. ¶Saynt Austyn of them myght haue none answere otherwyse / but sayd pertly that they wolde neuer them meke to hym / ne to the pope of Rome. And saynt Austyn torned ayen tho to kynge Adelbryght y^t was kynge of Kent and tolde hym that hys folke wolde not be to no man obedyent / but to the. Archebysshop of Carlyon. And whan the kynge herde thys / he was sore anoyed & sayd that he wolde them destroye / and sent to Elfryde kynge of Northun­berlonde that was hys frende / that he sholde come to hym with al the power that he myght and that he wolde mete hym at Leycetre / and fro thens they wolde go in to walys / and the­re destroye the Archebysshop of Carlyon / and all tho that had refused saynt Austyn

¶How kynge Adelbryght and the kynge Elfryde slewe Brecinall that was a kynge of Brytons that helde the countree of Leycetre.

IT be tell soo that there was a kynge of Brytons that helde the countree of Leycetre and alle the countree aboute / hys name was Brecinall. And this Bryton herde telle that tho two Englysshe kynges wolde mete there at Leycetre for to goo in to walys. He le­te ordeyne all the power that he had for to goo fyght with these two kynges / but lytel it auayled hym / for his folke that he had were slayne and hymself fledde / & loste his londes for euer more. ¶And these two kynges Adelbryght & Elfryde dwelled a whyle at Leycetre / and de­parted the londe amonge them / and tooke ho­magꝭ and feautees of the folke of the countree And after they wente to warde walys and thot of walys herd telle of thes comfyture that Breic [...]all had at Leycetre / and were wonder for adrad of tho two kyngeꝭ. And tooke and those amonge them good men and hooly of hemytes monkes and preestes / & of other people grete plentye that wente bare foote and wulwarde for ta haue mercy of thes two kynges / but tho kynges were so sterne & so wyked y^t they wold neuer speke to thē but them slewe euerychone Alas for sorowe / for they ne spared them noo­more than the wulfe dothe the shepe / but smot of theyr heedes euerychone / & so they were all martrd that to them came / that is to vnder­stande .v.C. & .xl. After they wente fro thens to Bangor for to slee all those that ther myghte there fynde of the Brytons. And whan y^e Brytouns herde that / they assembled and ordened all ther power for to fyght with thyem. Two was there a baron in walys that was called. Bledrik of Cornewayle that some tyme was lorde of Deuenshyre but the kynge. ¶Adel­bright had dreuen hym out in to walys and after there he yaue them batayll. And at that batayll was kynge Adelbright slayne and Efry­desore woūded & forsoke the felde / & the moost partye of his people slayne. And Elfryde flede in to Northumberlonde that was his owne lō de· ¶And after that the people of Leycetre shyre made with strenght Cadewan y^t was Bry­cinals sone kynge of Leceytre / And he after­regned nobly and with grete honour.

¶How Cade wan kynge of Leycetre & El­fryde kynge of Northumberlonde were fren­des / & of the debate y^t after was bytwene Ed­wyn & Cad walyn that were both theyr sones

ANd after that thys bataylle was done y^t Brytons assembled them and wente thens and came to Leycetre / and made there Caudewan that was Brecinals sone kynge of Leycetre and of all the countree. Aed he toke homages & feautes of all the folke of the coun­tree. And after that he assembled a grete hoste and sayde he wolde goo in to Northumberlon­de / to destroy kynge Elfryde and sle hym yf he myght. And whan he was come thether / fren­des wente so bytwene them that they accorde them in this manere / that Elfryde sholde hol­de all the londe fro Northumberlonde to Scotlonde. And Cadewan sholde haue all the lon­de a thys syde Humbre to the Southe / and af­ter they were good frendes all theyr lyf / and loued as they had ben brethern. ¶And thys Elryde had a sone called Edwyn that helde all [...] [Page lxii] the londe of Northūberlonde after his fathers dethe as his fader hadde holde all his lyf tyme ¶And Cadewā had another sone called Cadwalyn that helde his faders londe as he it hel­de whyle he was alyue / and these loued as bre­theren. And y^e loue lasted betwyxt them but only two yere / & after began debat betwyxt them throughe a synple enuyous cosyn of Cadwa­lins. called Bryens / so y^t they assembled a gre­te hoste in bothe partyes. And at the laste it be fell y^e Cadwalin was dyscūforted / & Edwen hym pursued & droue hym fro place to place so at the last he fledde in to Irelonde. And y^e other destroyd & pylled his londe / and cast downe castels & brente his maners / & departed all Cad­walins londe amonge his frendes. And longe tyme after came Cadwalen ayen fro Irlonde with a stronge pour / and in playne batayll sle­we Edwyn & all his frendes / & namely tho y^t with helde his londes by Edwyns yefte.

¶How kynge Oswallde was slayne thoughe kynge Cadwalin and Peanda / and howe Oswy that was saynte Oswaldes broder regned after hym and slewe Peanda.

AS Edwyn was slayne. Offris his so­ne vndertoke that warre ayenste Cad­walin his came / so y^t this Offris deyed duryn­ge y^e warre. And after y^e dethe of this Offris tho regned a gentyl crysten man that moche loued god almyghty y^t had all the londe of Northumbrelonde by herytage / y^t was called Oswalde & he was kynge of all the londe. But for as moche as he was frende to Edwyn / and helde a grete parte of the londe of Cadwalin. This same cadwalyn warred vpon hym & droue hym to warde Scotlond. And whan Cadwalin sawe that he wolde not abyde. Cadwalin wolde no lenger hym pursue / but toke some of his folke to Peanda his broder in lawe & prayed hym to pursue after Oswalde / tyl that he were takē & slayne / and Cadwalin toruned home ayen. ¶whan Oswalde herde these tydynges that Cadwalin tourned home ayen / he wolde no lē ger flee / but abode Peanda & yaue hym bata­yll / and Peanda was dyscomfort [...]e & fledde & came ayen to Cadwalyn & sayde that he wolde neuer holde one fote of londe of hym / but yf so were that he wolde auenge hym of Oswalde. ¶Cadwalin lete assemble a grete hoste for to fyght with Oswalde soo that he and Peanda came to Northumberlonde & yaue batayll vn­to Oswalde And in the same batayll was Os­walde slayne & his heed smyten of / & after he was entered at the abbay of Berdenay in whiche place god hadde wrought for hym many a fayre myracle / bothe there and elles where. ¶And anone Oswy his brother seased all the londe in to his honde that was this Oswaldis And the folke of Northumberlonde loued him wonderly well / and helde hym for theyr lorde. But he had men of his kynne worthy ynough that wolde haue departed the londe / and they warred togyed well. And for asmoche as they were not stronge ynoughe / they came to Peanda and prayed hym of helpe & socour. And be­hyght hym of y^e lōde largely vpō this couenāt that he wold them gouerne & helpe / & counseyl ¶Peanda herde theyr prayer & so spake with Cadwalyn / that he sholde ordayne a grete host and faste ordeyned hym in to Northumberlonde for teyght with Oswy. And Oswy was a meke man / & moche loued peas & charyte and prayed Peanda of loue & peas and profe [...]ede hym of golde and syluer grete plentye. ¶And this Peanda was so proude y^t he nolde graunt hym peas fo no maner thynge but for all thynge he wolde with hym fyght. S [...]o at the laste there was sette a daye of batayll. And Oswy euer trusted vpon god and Peanda trusted to­moche vpon pryde and vpon his hoste that he had. And to gyder they smote egerly but Peanda was anone dyscomforted and slayne. And this was After the Incarnacyon of oure lorde Ihesu Cryste .v.C.lv. yere And this Oswy regned .xxviii. yere And a kynge that was called Oswyne / that was Peandaes cosyn warred vpon hym and togyder fought / But Oswy hadde the victory of Oswyne. And Oswyn was dyscomforted and slalyne / and lyeth at Tynnemouth.

¶How kynge Cadwaldre that was Cad­walins sone regned after his fader / and was the laste kynge of Brytons.

AFter the deth of Cadwelin regned hys sone Cudwaldre well and nobly. And his moder was y^e syster of Peanda. And whan he had regned .xii. yere / he felle in to a grete sy­kenesse / & thenne was there a greate dyscorde bytwene the lordes of the londe / that euery of them warred vpon other. And yet in that ty­me there fell so grete derth & scarsyte of corn & other viteylles in this londe / that a man my­ghte [Page] go .iii. or iiii. dayes fro towne to towne y^t he sholde not fynde to bye for golde ne syluer brede / wyne ne none other vitayle where wich a man myght lyue. But onely the people lyued by rotis of herbes / for other lyuynge had they none / so moche was it faylled all aboute / Fys­shes / wylde bestes / & all other thynge soo that yet to this mysauenture / there felle soo greate mortalyte and pestelens amonge the people by the corrupcyon of the ayre that y^e lyuynge people suffysed not to burye the deed bodyes. For they deyed soo sodenly / bothe grete and smalle lorde & seruaunt / in etynge goynge & spekynge they fell downe and deyed / so that neuer was herde of more sodeyne deth amonge the people For he that wente for to burye the deed body / with the same deed body was buryed. And soo they that myght flee fledde & forsoke theyr lon­des and houhes / as welle for the grete hungre derth & scarsyte of corne & other vitayll / as for the grete mortalyte & pestylence in the londe / & wente into other londes for to saue theyr lyues and lefte the londe all deserte & wast / so y^t there was noman for to trauayle & tylthe the londe So that the londe was barayne of corne & all other fruytes for defawte of tyllyers / and this mysauenture dured .xi. yere and more that no­man myght ere ne sowe

¶How Cadwaldre wente out of this londe in to lytell Brytayne.

CAdwaldre sawe grete hungre mortaly­te & pestylence / and the londe all poore / & faylynge cornes ād other vytaylles / and his folke perysshed / & sawe also the mooste partye of his londe all wasted & voyde of people. He apparelled hym and his folke that were lefte alyue / and passede ouer in to lytell Brytayne with a lytell nauy vnto kynge Alayne that he moche loued / that was his cosyn and that his fader hadde moche loued in his tyme. And as they sayled in the see / he made moche lamen­tacyon / and so dyde alle tho that were with hym and sayde. (Dedisti nos domine tanquan [...] oues escarū. et in gentibus dispersisti nos)

ANd thenne began Cadwaldre to complayne hym to his folke pyteously and sayd· Alas sayd he / to vs wretches & caytyues is sorowe for our grete synnys / the whiche we wolde not amende vs whyle we had space / & now repentaunce is comen vpon vs throughe my sauenture / whiche chaced vs out of oure reame and propre soyle. And out of the whiche somtyme Romayns. Becottes. Saxons / ney­ther Danys myght not exyle vs. ¶But what auaylleth it now to vs that before tyme / oft tymes haue goten many other londes / syth it ys not the wyll of god that we abyde and dwelle in our owne londe. God that is very Iuge yat all thynges knoweth before they ben done or made / he seeth that we wolde not cesse of oure synnes / and that our enmyes myghte not vs ne our lygnage exyle fro / and out of our reame He wolde that we amende vs of oure folyes and that we see our propre defautes.

And therfore hath shewed to vs wrathe / and woll chastyse vs of our mysdedes. Syche that he doth vs with out batayll / or strength of our enmyes / by grace companyes / wretcchedly to leue our reame & propre londe. ¶Torne ayen ne ye Romanys / torne agayne ye Scottes tor­ne agayne ye Saxxons / torne agayne ye Fraū soys. Now seweth to you Brytayne all deserte the whiche your power myght neuer make de­serte / ne yet oure power hathe not put vs now in exyle But onely the power of the kynge all­myghty whom we haue often offended by our folyes / the whiche we wolde not leue vntyll he chastyced vs by dyuyne power ¶Amonge the worldes & lamentacyon that the kynge Cad­whldre made to his folke / they arryued ī lytell Brytayne / and came to kynge Alayne before sayd ¶And the kynge receyued hym with grete Ioye / and made hym to be seruede wonder nobly. And there abode they longe tyme after ¶The Englesshe people that were left a lyue and were escaped the grete hungre and mortalyte / lyued in the best wyse that they myght. And moche people sprange and came of them ¶And they sente in to Saxonye where that they were borne to ther frendes for men / wye­men / and chyldren / to restore the cytees with people and the townes that were all voyde of people / and for to laboure / traueyll and tylthe the erthe. ¶whan the Saxons herde these ty­dynges / they came in to y^e londe wonder thye­ke in grete companyes / and herborowed ther­selfe in the countree all aboute where that they wolde / for they founde no man them for to let­e ne withstonde. And so they waxed & multe­plyed gretely. And vsed the maners and customes of the countree wherof they were come. And they vsed also the lawes and the langa­ges [Page lxi] and speche of theyr owne londe that they came fro. And also they chaunged all the na­mes of Cytyes / twones / castelles / & brought / & yaue them names and called as they nowe ben called And they helde the Counrees. Barona­ges & lordeshyps in manere as the Brytons before tyme had compassed them / And amonge other grete companyes that came frome Ger­mayne in to this londe / came the noble quene that was called Se [...]burga with men & wym­men without nombre· And arrayed in the coū tree of Northumberlonde / and tooke the londe frome Ilbion vnto Cornewaylle for her & for her folke. For there was none that myght thē lette / for alle was desolace & voyde of people / but it were a fewe poore Brytons that were lefte on mountayns & woddes vntyll that ty­me. ¶And fro that tyme forthe loste the Brytons this reame for all theyr dayes. And the Englysshe people begane to regne / and depar­ted the lōde bytwene them. And they made many kynges aboute by dyuerse partyes of the londe as here ben dyuyded. The fyrst of westesexe / The second [...] Merchenriche / The thyrde Estangle / the fourthe Kente / the fyfth South­sex. All those regned in this londe after y^e Cad­waldre was passed out of this londe / & dwelled in lytell Bryten with kynge Alayne his cosyn and true frende. And whan he had longe dwellede there / and had knowynge that the morta­lyte and pestelence was ouerpassed / & that the londe was replenysshed / ayen wyth people / he thought to torne ayen in to his londe And prayed kynge Alayne his cosyn of socour & helpe y^t he myghte be restored ayen to his owoe propre reame and fyrste dygnyte / And kynge Aleyne graunted hym his askynge. ¶Thenne dyde he appareylle hym to take his wayt and vya­ge in to this londe. And prayed god allmyghty deuoutly that he wolde make to hym demon­stracyon / yf his prayer to this londe were too hyme plesaunt or none / for ayenste the wyll of god allmyghty he wolde no thynge do. ¶whā he had thus deuoutly made his prayer / avoys fro heuen to hym sayd. And hadde hym leue y^e Iurney a waye in to Englonde / and that he sholde goo to the pope of Rome for it was not the wyll of almyghty god y^t the Brytons shol­de regne more in Brytane / ne neuer recouered it vnto the tyme of the prophecye that Marlyn sayd before he fu [...]fylled. And that sholde neuer be vnto y^e tyme were come / that the relyques of his body shall be broughte fro Rome & translated in to Brytayne / And whan the ralykes of other sayntes that haue ben hedde for y^e per­secucyon of the paynem folke shall be founde & openly shewed / thenn shalle they recouer theyr londe agayne / the whyche they haue soo longe tyme loste throughe theyr desertes. ¶whane Cadwaldre hadde herde this answere / he maruayled gretely and tolde it to the kynge Aleyne ¶Thene kynge Aleyne dyde sende for the clergye of his londe / and made them to brynge the storyes and prophecyes that Merlyn and Sybyll had sayd in theyr prophcyes. And whan he knewe that the prophycye that Festom had prophecyed of the Egle. And other prophecyes accorded to the dyuyne aunswere that Cadde­walldre had herde. He counselled hym & ryght faythfully desyred hym to leue his people and his nauy / & submytte hym to the dyspocysyon of god / and do all that the aungell had cōmaū ded hym. ¶Thenye Cadwaldre called y [...]or his sone and ymori his cosyn that was his sys­ters sone / & sayd to them. Taketh sayde he my folke & my nauy that is here all redy / & passe into walys and be ye lordees of Brytons that no dyshonoure come to them by interrupcyon of the Paynem folke for defaute of lordes. ¶And thene hymselfe lefte his reame of Brytayne and his folke for euer more / and tooke his waye vnto the pope of Rome Sergius the whyche worshypede hym moche / and so he was confessed / and toke penaunce for hys syn­nes. And he had not longe dwelled there that he ne deyed / the .xii. Kalendis in Maye [...] the yere of grace .v.C.lxxii.

¶How kynge Offa was souerayne aboue all the kynges of Englonde / and how euery kyn­ge warred vpon other.

IT befell so that all the kynges in that ty­me that were in y^u londe. as they of westsex. Marchenryche. Estangle / of kente / and of Southsex and of other costes eche warred vpon other And he that moste myght toke the londe of hym that was mooste feblest. ¶But there was a kynge amonge them that was called Offa / that was saynte Oswaldes brother. This Offa conquered all the kynges of y^e lon­de / and regned all aboue them all. ¶And s [...] gret was the y^t warre in euery there bytwene [Page] grekes / that no mā myght wyte how the lond wente. But abbottos pryours / & men of Relygyon wrote y^t lyues & dedes of kynges / & how longe euery of theym regned & in what coūtre & in what manere euery kynge deyed / & of bysshops also. And therof made grete bokys and lete calle them Cronycles. And the good kyng Alured had that booke in his warde. And lette brynge it vnto wynchestre / and lete it be faste tacked to a pylar that men sholde it not reme­ue / ne bere it thens / so that euery man sholde it see & therupon loke For therin ben the lyues of all the kynges that euer were in Englonde.

¶How the kynge of Northumberlon­de Osbryght forlaye the wyf of Buerne Bocarde thrugh strength / and after this Buerne conquered the kyng with power and strength.

ANd thus it befell in y^e same tyme / that there was a kyng in Northumberlond [...]e that was called Osbryght / and soyourned atte yorke. ¶And this kynge wente hym vp­pon a daye in to a wood hym for to / dysporte. And as he came ayen / he wente pryuely in to a good mannes house / that was called Buer­ne / and the good man of that place was gone that tyme to the see. ¶For oftentymes there he was wonte to spye theues and robbers that oftentymes were wonte to come in to the londe / to robbe / brenne / and slee. The lady that was Buernes wyfe was a wonder fayre wo­man. ¶And the kynge came vnto her whan that herhusbode was absente / and she trusted none harme vnto the kynge / and welcomed hym with moche honour / and worthely hym serued in all thynge. ¶whan the kynge hadde eten / he tooke the lady by the honde and [...]adde her in to a chambre and sayde. He wolde speke with her a counseyll. And all the folke he made voyde fro the chambre / saue only the lady and he. But the lady wyst not wherfore he it dyde / tyll that he had done alle hys wyll. And whan he hadde done this dede / He torned agayne to yorke. And the lady he lefte there sore wepyn­ge for the dede that the kynge to her had done. ¶And whan he [...] lorde was came home and sawe her wepe and suche sorowe and mornynge make / he axed of her what she hadde done / and why she made suche sorowe. ¶Syre she sayde / subtylly and falsely the kynge Osbry­ght [...] hathe doo me shame and vylanye ayeast my wyll. And tolde hym all the truthe how the kynge had [...]orlayne her with strengthe / wher­fore she sayde she hadde leuer to be deed than tolyue. ¶Fayre loue be stylle sayde he / for a­yenst strengthe feblenesse is yltell worthe / and therfore of me shalte thou neuerthelesse belo­ued and namely for thou hast tolde me the treuthe. And yf almyghty god graūt to me my lyf I shall the aueng. ¶This Buerne was a grete man and a myghty lorde / and was well be­loued and grete frendes hadde. And lete sende for the grettest lordes of the londe / and to them made hes complaynte of the despyte / that the kynge to hym hadde done and sayde / he wolde be auenged how euer yt were. And all hys frendes counseylled hym that he sholde goo vnto yorke there that the kynge was hym to defye. And Buerne toke his mayne and came to the kynge. whan the kynge hym sawe / he called hym curtously Buerne by name. And Buer­ne hym answerred to hym sayde. Syre I you defye / and yelde vp feautes homages and londes / and as moche as I haue holden of you / & fro this tyme for warde I wyll neuer of the nothynge holde. And soo he departed fro the kynge without more speche or ony abydynge and tooke leue of his frendes and went in to Den­marke / and playned to the kynge Godern / & tolde hym of the despyte of that the kynge Os­bryght to hym hadde donne of his wyfe. And prayed hym of socour / and helpe hym for to a­uenge. ¶whan kynge Godern of Denmarke and the danys hadde herde the complaynt of thys Buerne / and the prayer that he badde / they were ryght wonder glasde in theyr her­tes / for as moche as they myght fynde a cause for to goo in to Englonde for to warree vpon Englesshe men / and for to aenge Buerne of the despyte that the kyng Osbryght hadde done vnto hys wyf. And for as moche as Buer­ne was sybbe v [...]to the kynge of Denmarke / anone they lette ordeyne a greate hoste of men and lete ordeyne theym shyppes / and as mo­che as theym nede for to haue to that vyage. And whan all the host was redy / the kyng made his two brethern chyef capytayns / that were noble knyghtes of body & also bolde. That one was called Hunga / & that other Hubba.

¶How the Danys tooke yorke / and slewe the kynge Osbrygt / and soone after slewe kynge Eelle.

[Page xlviii]

Sall was redy y^t two brethern toke leue ofthe kynge Godren. and wente to­warde the see for to passe [...] ouer in to Inglonde as fast as they myght spede Now is Buerne so welle comfor­ted and faste hyed hym wyth the Danys that they ben arryued in the North coūtre & comen thrugh out Holdernes / and destroyed all the countree and brenned townes / & robbed folke / and sle­we all that they myght take tyll that they came vnto yorke. And whan kyng Osbryght sawe them come / He tooke alle hys people that he had with hym & came out of the cytee & faught with them / but noo foyson he ne hadde ayenst them / and moche of the people that there was were slayne on bothe partyas. And kynge Osbryght hym self there was slayne / and the cyte anene was take and the Danys wente in. ¶And there was also an other kynge in Nor­thumberlonde / that Buernes frendes hadde those & helde hym for kynge / a man that was called Elle / for as moche as they wolde not to kynge Osbryght be attendan̄t / for the despyte that he had done vnto Buerne theyr cosyn. ¶It befell thus that the kyng Elle was gone in to the wood hym for to dyosporte & of the venyson some he had taken. And as he sate in the wood at meete / to a knyght he sayde. we ha [...] wel spedde and moche venyson taken. ¶And with that worde came in a man & to hym sayd yf yeso moche of venyson haue wonne / an hodred tymes so moche more ther ayenst haue ye loste. For all thys coūtree the Danys haue go­ten / and taken the Cytee of yorke / and ayenst you shall it holde / that neuer ye shalcome therin / and for soo moche they haue slayne kynge Osbryght. whan kynge Elle herde these wordes / he lete assemble all the folke of he coūtree and ordeyned all the power that he myght ha­ue and wolde haue goten the towne of yorke with strength. But the Danys came out ano­ne & yaue hym a strōge batayll. And selwe the kyng Elle & the moost parte of y^e peple y^t he had brought with hym. ¶And the same place the­re they were slayne / shalle euer more be called Elle crofte / and that place is a lytell from yorke. ¶And the rested the Danys neuer tyl that they hadde conquered all Northumberlonde. And in that countree they made wardeynes / and wente further in to the londe / and tooke Notyngham. And there they abode all y^e wynter / and dyed all the sorowe that they myght ¶And after whan Somer tyme came they remeued frome Notyngham and came in to Nicholl and Lyndesey / and to Holonde. For noo man myght them wythstande / soo moche po­wer and strengthe they had

How saynt Edmōde the kynge was Martyred

ANd soo ferre hadde the Danys passed frome / countree to countree. and euer more brynnynge and robbyn­ge and destroyenge al that they myght tylle they came vnto / Tetstforede. ¶ [...]nd in that coū tree they founde a Crysten kynge / that moche loued god and hys werkes that was called Edmonde. And he was a kynge of Norfolke and Southfolke ¶Thys saynt Edmonde kynge ordeyned as moche folke as he myghte / and foughte wyth the Danys / but he and his folke were dyscomfyted / And the kynge hymselfe dryuen vnto the castell of F [...]amelynham. And the Danys hym purshewed / & came vnto y^e same castell / ¶And whan kynge Edmonde sawe that the castell myghte not them withstande he came ayenste theym / wyth whome the Danys fyr­ste dyde speke. And anone they a [...]ed of hym where kynge Edmonde was.

¶How forsothe sayde he whan I was in the castell / there was the hyng / and whan I wente out of the castell he went out also / and whe­ther he shalle escape or deye / atte goddes wyll muste it all be. ¶whan saynt Edmonde had­de named god / by that worde wyste they well that it was hym self· And anone Hubba & Hū ­gar toke hym & sayd / that he sholde god forsa­ke & all crysten lawes / as many other had do­ne hym before· ¶And saynt Edmonde sayde that he wolde neuer / but rather he wolde suf­fre dethe for goddes loue and his lawes to.

¶Tho toke they kynge Edmonde and bonde hym vnto a tree / & made theyr archers to sho­te at hym with arowes / tyll that his body sty [...] ked as fulle of arowes as an orchen is fulle of pryckes. But for all the payne that they hym dyde he wolde neuer god for sake. And in the same payne / and torment he deydd / and beto­ke [Page] his soule vnto almyghty god. ¶And whan they sawe that he was dede / they smote of his heed. ¶And of this manere as ye haue herde was saynt Edmonde martred.

¶How Hubba and Hungar toke the towne of Redynge

SO whan Saynt Edmonde was martred. Hungar and Hubba yede thens wyth all the Danys vnto Redynge. & as they wente thyderwarde they brente townes and tyees / & slewe all crysten pele y^t woldē opnote forsake hod / & caste downe chyrche & came to Redynge & toke the towne & there helde them tyll that the kynge Edelf of westsex came thy­ther with all his power for to take the townes Tho came out the Danys for to yeue batayll to Edelf / & at that batayll was slayne an erle of the Danys that was called Sidrak. Vpon the morowe came kynge Eldred and hys bro­ther Alured wyth a stronge power and a grete hoste. And the kynge Edelf came agayne that had foughten the daye before to that bataylle And the Danys tho cam out for to fyght wyth theym / and the bataylle was wonder stronge For many a man was there slayne & the Da­nys that daye had the vyctorye / & the kyng Eldred & hys brother Alared that daye were dys­comfyted. ¶But the fourth daye after warde the Danys & the Englysshe fought tohyder an other tyme vpon Elkedene / & there was slayne a kynge of Denmarke that was called Rafin and foure erles of grete power. And that daye had the Danys shame / for they were dryuen vnto Engilfelde. ¶And the .xv. day after the Danys & the Englysshe men fought an ather tyme at Rafynge & there were the Englysshe­men dyscomfyted / & from thens a dane y^t was called Roynt wente to redynge with his hoste and destroyed all that he myght take. And kinge Eldred faught wyth hym / but he was woū ded sore wherfore he deyed / and he regned but .v. yere / and lyeth at womborn.

¶Nota. ¶That Englonde was lon­ge tyme Crystened afore Fraunce.

CLodianus the fyrste Crysten kynge of Fraunce / was thys same thyme baptysed of saynt Remigio / & he hadde a crystyn woman to his wyf / and she meued hym many ty­mes to the fayth & sayd. He sholde be fortuna­ble & victoryous yf he wold torne / & so he was and neuer afore. ¶Hornusda was pope after Synachus .ix. yere. This man was of grete mercy and almesse to poore men / & ornamen­tis he gaue many to chyrches. And here consy­led y^e Grekes / y^t whiche were cursed for theyr heresye. ¶Iustinus was emperour after A­nastasasius· And he regned ix. yere & was a very crysten man / & all that euer themperour Anastasius had done ayeust the chyrche / he reuoked / and obeyed the pope Hornusda / & called ayen the bysshops that were exyled be his pre­de cessours. ¶Priscanꝰ gramaticꝰ was this tyme. And this yere the whiche is the .lxxi. fro the comynge of the Saxons / began the kyng­dom of west Saxon / and Cerdico was kyng ¶Iohānes was pope after Hornusda thre yere & .ix. montches. & Theodocius the kyng of ytaly an heretyke toke the pope with other Senatours & sente them to the Emperour Iusti­nus / determynynge y^t & he wolde not lette the heretykes be in peas he sholde slete all crysten folke in ytaly. And after he toke pope Iohn̄ & Simachū patriciū & Boyclū the Senatours & slewe them in pryson. But Boys defended hym by y^e reason of thauctoryte of the Sena­tours / & he sent hym to y^e cyte of Papy for per­petuell exyle / where he made the boke De con­solatiōe philosophie And at the last the coūtrie of Mediolanen̄ he caused Boys throte to be cutte / and so he deyed. ¶Felix pope succedded Iohn̄ foure yere. This man cōmaunde y^t syke men sholde be aneled for the deth / but cryst ordeyned y^e fyrst. ¶Iustinianꝰ was Emperour xxxviii. yere / this man drewe the lawe of the Romayns out of almoost .ii.M. bookes. & .iii.C. verses ouer longe & accordynge in to oo volumen of .xii. bookes & called it Iustinian. He made also the Digestes & deuyded thē in to .iii. bokys. ¶Bonifaciꝰ the seconde was pope after Felix two yere / and lytel of hym is wryten. ¶Iohānes the seconde was pope after Boni­faciꝰ / & this man had a grete stryf with Iusti­nianꝰ themperour / whether y^e cryst was of .ii. natures or one. The pope sayd he had two na­tures. One of god & an other of man. T [...]e emperour sayd / other cōsente to vs / or thou [...]hat go in to perpetuell exyle. The pope answered I desyre to come to Iustilianus the moost c [...]i­sten Emperour / but as me semeth I haue foū de Dyoclesyan the persecutour of crysten man But certaynly I drede not thy malyce / Ne I fere not thy threthynges. Thenne the Empe­rour meked hymslef & felle downe to the groū de / and asked mercy and absolucyon.

¶Nota Machomitum.

¶Machomite the duke of Sarrasyns and Turkes was this tyme. And he was y^e dyssey­uer of all the worlde / a faulse profete / y^e messenger of the deuyll. The forgooer of antecryst y^e fulfyller of herecye / & of all fals men the mer­uayllest· Of whome the dominacyon thus be­gan· ¶There was a certayne famous clerke at Rome and / coude not spede in his maters y^t desyred to haue spede in. Thene he recedde frō Rome ouer the see and procured many a man to haue gone with hym. Amonge whome was this Machomyte a grete man of wytte. And this clerke promysed hym to make hym duke of the coūtree yf he wolde be gyded after hym ¶There he nouryssed a douue / and put alle the corne that y^e douue ete in Machom [...] ee [...]e and so this douue had neuer noo meete but in his eere The foresayd clerke on a daye called the people & meued thē to these suche a p [...]nce as the holy gost wold shewe to them in lykenesse of a douue. And anone this clerke secretely lete flee this douue / the whiche after his olde custome that he wonte to / fell anone to y^e shol­dyr of Machomyte & put his bylle in his eere. And the people sawe this / anone he was chosē duke of that people of Corosame / he sayd that he was the very prophete of god ¶Thenne he made a boke of his lawe that was called Alkaron. But he dyde it by Informacyon of thre of his maysters. To whome the deuyl minystred the autoryte and the connynge. ¶The fyrste mayster was a Iewe a grete Astronomyer & a Nygramancer. The seconde was Iohn̄ de Anthiochia. The thurde was Sergius an herytyke. And these thre made an vngracyous lawe and an vnhappy. ¶And what someuer was harde of beleue and noyous to doo / they lefte that out of the lawe / and they put that thynge in the lawe / the whiche the worldly men were [Page] proue and redy to do. That ys to saye. Gloto­ny / Lethery / repyne / and suche other. And also thys Machomyte ordeyned that a man sholde haue as many wyues as he myght occupye and fynde / and refuse them twyes or thryes / or foure tymes / and take them agayye / & ma­ny meruayllous & fals thinges ht made in hys lawe / the whiche were to longe to reherce here But they be playne in his booke of. Alkaron· And euer he wrote in hys boke / that our lorde spake to. Machomyte hys prophete / sayenge on this wyse / or on this. ¶Thus by hys false meanes he dysceyued the people. And whan his maysters & he had made this that was soo delectable. He wrote it in a boke with letters of golde· And also he nourysshed a myghty ca­mell secretly in a pryue place / & alonly wyth y^e hondes of. Machomyte was alwaye fedde / & there pryuely he tyed this boke of the law that he had made about the camels necke \ and put this camel forth on a tyme in to the felde afore daye. And thys camell Ioyed in hys lyberte for he was neuer lose afore. And he wolde suf­fre noo man to come and touche hym. And so there was a grete fame of suche a camell / and the people ranne to see hym. Amonge whome was this Machomyte. But whan the camell sawe hym that had fedde hym al waye. Anone he ranne vnto hym. And he had taught this camell afore tyme to falle downe on his knees & lycke his hondes. And so he dyd afore all that people. The people thenne cryed & sayde / that there was a very ensample y^t he was the true prophete of god. ¶Thenne they prayed Ma­chomyte to open that holy boke with hys holy hondes / the whiche was sent from heuen euer more to be kepte. In y^e whiche boke is shewed how the peple shail worshyp god. ¶And Machomyte sayd / this boke was wryten wyth aū gels honde / Soo by these fals meanes / he tor­ned to his lawe all the londe of. Perse / and all the Eest Imperyall agaynste. Heraclium the Emperour· And he occupyed vnto the ende of Ale [...]dndre and Egypt. Libya. Arabya and Siria. Thenne after he enfected alle Affrycam. And but the grace of god wythstode hym / He had enfected all Spayne and Fraunce. And many other thynges he dyde whyche were to moche to wryte in this boke.

COnstantyne the thyrde / the sone of Heraclii was Empour .xxvii. yere. Thys Constantyne was a grete tyraunt & a cursyd man / and an heretyke. Fals / subtyll / and odyous to crysten men. Ne he gaaf no place to po­pe. Mertyne / & he reysed a grete hoste agaynst the Lombardes. And there he loste the felde / & fledde vnto Rome. And honourably was re­ceyued of the pope Viteliianus / & other of the the cyte. And he rewarded not them lyke after theyr merytes as a prynce sholde haue done. But vsed forth tyrannye and heresye. wherfore at the last he was slayne of his owne knyghtes in a bath / the whyche wolde no lenger suf­fre his tyraunye. And so he wretchedly lyued / and deyed vnhappely. ¶Martinus the fyrst was pope after Theodorum .vi. yere. Thys Martynus was a very holy man / & [...]rongely stroue for the fayth of god And wh [...]n [...]e [...]ge masse oon a certayne daye a [...] the [...] / there pursewed hym to slee▪ him a man y^t was called Spataryus of Olymphe. And whan he wolde haue smyten hym / he was blynde sodaynly. This same man called a Synody in the Cyte of Rome: and dampned Syrum. Alexandrun Sergium. Pyrum: and Paulum heretykes. wherfore. Constantyne the Emperour exyled hym: and he deyed a saynt. ¶Eugemꝰ a Ro­mayne was pope after Martyne almoost thre yere: and was an holy man: but of hym lytell actes is wryten. ¶Vitellianus was pope af­ter hym .xiiii. yere. Thys man made the songe that the. Romayns vse: And accorded it also with the orgayns. And he also had the grace of the emperour: the whiche was worth wyth his predecessours. Neuerthelesse after warde he stode not ī his concorde. Ne hetherto I cou­de not fynde that euer the chyrche of Rome. hadde fully after the dethe of. Constantyne the myghty lordshyp of the cyte and of other the whiche he yaue to the chyrche.

¶How Hubba and Hungar were slayne atte Chyppenham / and how the Danys brought theyr kynge to our kynge.

ANd the same daye that the Danys departed frome London / soo faste they rode bothe nyghe and daye / and neuer tooke rest of goynge tyll that they came vnto Exces­tre / and tooke tho the towne / and there helde them. ¶Whan kynge Alured herde these ry­dynges / anone he lette take the hostages / and wente from thens vnto Excestre wyth all the power that he hadde / And whan the Danys herde telle of hys comynge / they wente frome thens unto westsix / and came vnto Chyppenham / and there they dyde moche harme in the countree / they robbed folke / and brough the­ym in pryson. The kynge Alured them pursewed & came vpon them ryght soone & fyersely theym assayled. And there were slayne bothe Hubba and Hūgar his broder / & Buerne Bocader. And in this bataylle were moche folke slayne in that one & in that other. But the gre [...] of that felde bode with the Danys / for as moche as the kyng came with fewe folke. ¶The kynge hasted hym as moche as he myghte for to goo agayne. And whan the Danys founde Hubbaes body lyeng deed they buryed it / and layd vpon it a grete logge / and lete calle it Hubeslowe / and soo it is called vnto thys daye. And that place is in Deuenshyre. The Ba­rons of Somerset· wyltshyre and dorset herde tell how that theyr kyng was dyscomfyted and ordeyned all the power that they myghte haue and came to the kyng there he was / and thanked god that they hym yet founde alyue / for they had wende that y^e Danys hadde hym slayne. Tho toke they a counseyll the kynge & his barōs / that wolde go and seke the Danys with them for to fyght. And so they rode all & nyght theim for to seke and came on the morowe aboute Pryme to Abyndon there that the Danys were. The kyng Alured & his barons to assembled & there assaylled the Danys egerly / & there yaue them a stonge batayll. And the Danys put them a longe tyme that noo man wyst whether parte more people were slayne. But thys it befell as god wolde that the kyng Alured had the victory with moche honoure. For the Danys were soo dryuen that ne wyst whyther for to torne. And .xv. dayes the [...]yng them pursewed at his wyll / that gladly & [...]ay­ne they were for to speke of peas and accorde / and toke hym good hostage / & sayd they wolde neuer more vpon hym warre ne no debate a­rere. ¶And more ouer they behyght vnto the kyng Alured / that they wolde go & b [...]ynhe theyr owne kynge vnto hym and that theyr kyn­ge & they all shold be baptysed. And vpon this condycyon kynge Alured graunte them lyf & lymme. And sayd vnto theym / that they shol­de gone theyr kyng for to seke / & at a certayne daye to come ayen y^t to theym was sette. And so they wente forth fast & came ayen at a daye that to them was assygned· And all y^e Danys brought theyr kynge with them. ¶The kyng Alured anone lette them [...]e baptysed / & theyr names chaunged. And soo the kynge of Den­mark was called Athelstone And .xxx. of his felowes names were chaunged also / and the o­ther were baptysed to the ryght byleue. ¶And all this was done atte westmestre. And after that kynge Alured helde wyth hym kynge A­thelstone and all hys Danys .xii dayes at soiourne with moche solempnyte / and yaue th [...] ̄ [Page] grete yeftes. And after that they were bapty­sed and soo departed. Tho was kynge Alured all at ease / whan he hadde his enmyes ouer co­men / and that they were torned to y^e ryght by leue of god almyghty.

¶How the Danys that came in to Fraun­ce with Gurmonde came agayne in to En­glonde / and of the deth of kynge Alured.

ANd thus it befell after warde / that the Danys of Northumberlonde y^t were paynems came with a grete strength & an hu­ge hoste of Fraūce / that is to vnderstōde \ with them that went in to Fraūce with Gurmonde of Affyke / whan he had conquered Englonde & yaue it vnto y^e Saxons. And tho y^t came fro Fraūce arryued in Kent & sent in to Northumberlonde that they shold come to them / & whan those two hostꝭ were come & assembled / anone they yede to destroye alle the crysten people of Englonde from place to place / & dyde moche sorowe. It befelle thus as almyghty god wol­de an harde chaunce in to Englonde. For the good kyng alured y^t was wonte to abate y^e Da­nys deyed [...]n the meane tyme. Thys kynge A­lured regned .xxx. yere / & a good kyng had he & welle coude chastyse his enmyes. And also he was a good clerke / & lete make many bokes & a boke he made in Englysshe of aduentures of kynges / and of bataylles that had ben done in the londe / and many other bookes of Gestes he lete them wryte that were of greate wysdo­me and of good lernynge / thrugh whyche boo­kes many a man may hym amende / that woll them rede and vpon them loke / Vpon whose soule almyghty god haue marcy. ¶And thys kynge Alured lyeth at wynchestre.

IOhānes the .viii. was pope after Adry­an .viii. yere. This Iohannes anoynted Karolus the Emperour. And he suffred grete wronge of y^e Romayns for he fauoured not y^e sayd Emperour. And therfore he put the sayd pope in kepyng. Also he degarded the bysshop of Portuense / the whyche was y^e occasyon of all his sorowe. Karolꝰ y^e seconde was Empour after Ludouicus. This Karolus had a brother the whyche was called Ludouicus / & he was the kyng of Germayne / & he ordeyned batayll agaynst his brother / but karolus or they fau­ghte was poysened. And he made many a mo­nasterye. ¶Martynus was pope after Iohā ­nes one yere. This Martynus lytell profyted for he lyued but lytell tyme. ¶Adrianꝰ y^e thyr­de was pope after hym oo yere. And of hym is no thinge wrynten. ¶Stephanꝰ the fyfth was pope after hym .vi. yere. And no thyng of him in wryten / but y^t he translated the body of sa­ynt Martyn. ¶Karolus the thyrde was Em­perour after the seconde .xii. yere. This Karo­lus had in possessyon peassyble all Fraunce & all Germayne / and was crowned Emperour of Iohānes the pope. And after this gloryous vyctory / he torned all Normandye to the fay­the of god almyghty / and he myght nomore recyste the Frenshemen but four yere he regned on them / He was vnprofytable to them / and therfore they put hym a waye. ¶Arnulphus was emperour after Karolus .xiii. yere. This Arnulphus vtterly constrayned the Normās the wyiche destroyed the Frenshemen .xl. yere Thenne he was syke and had noo comforte of no leche / for he was ī a meruayllous sykenes­se / so that he was consumed with lyf and was deed. ¶Formosus was pope after Stephanꝰ .v. yere / this man fyrst was bysshop of Port­uensys. And pope Iohn̄ was depryued for hys Inobedyence / & was degrated to the laye fee. But by Martyn y^e pope he was restored. And ayenst his othe / he came not aloonly to Rome but to offre hym the dygnyte of the pope / for y^t whiche there was grete alteracion. ¶Bonfacius the .vi. was pope .v. dayes. ¶Stephanꝰ the .vi. one yere and thre monethes. ¶Iohannes thre monethes and .xii. dayes. ¶Iona also thre monethes and twelue dayes. ¶Theodorus the seconde twenty dayes. ¶Iohannes the enleuēth was two yere & .xv. dayes. ¶Be­nedictus the fourth a yere and two monethes. ¶Leo the fourthe was .xl. dayes. ¶Xpristoforus the fyrste .vii. monethes. All these .viii. popes were but lytell tyme / & therfore we can not tell of them none notable thynges / But yf we sholde wryte sclaūdre of them that myght be fon̄de / for y^e vnharde stryfe & contencion in that holy appostles sete. For one stroue ayenst an other / and repreued the dedes of an other. And for to tell how they stroue / it were no gre­te honour to shewe for y^e hooly appostles sete. ¶Lodouicus the thyrde was emperour after Arnulphus .vi yere. This man had not y^e po­pes blessynge / for the vnstablenesse of them y^t whiche regned in ytaly· And he was constrey­ned to expulse Berynge. And this man was y^e [Page xlvi] laste Emperour of alle the kynred of Karolus kynge of fraunce. ¶This tyme the Empyre was remeued and translated and dyuyded. For the Frenshemen halpe not the chyrche / the whiche theyr faders had edifyed and fortefyed / but destroyed / ne halpe not y^e Romayns ayenst Lombardes / the whiche vexed the Ro­mayns ryght sore. Therfore by the comyns assente they were excluded fro the Empyre / and the ytalyens beganne to be Emperour in yta­ly / and the Almayns in Almayne / vntyll Ot­tanen the whiche regned in bothe the places. The Frenshemen were constrayned to abyde in theyr owne countree / and no more to be emperour for theyr mysheuous lyuynge. ¶Beringarius the fyrst. ¶Conradus and Beryngarius the seconde / & Hugo were Emperours after Lodouicus But they are not nombred amonge the Emperours. For some were but in Almayne / and some were in yralye.

¶Of kynge Edward that was kynge Alucedes sone.

ANd after this Alured regned hys sone Edwarde / and was a good mā & a wy­se / that was called Edwarde / and was won­der curteys. ¶The danys dyd moche sorowe in the londe / and theyr power encreaced and began for to were frome daye to daye. For the Danys came often wyth theyr companyes in to this londe. And whan the kynge sawe that he myght no better do / then he toke peas wyth them graūted them this trewes. And neuerthelesse the trewes dured not longe that the Da­nys ne began strongly for to warre vpon the Englysshmen and dyde them moche sorowe. wherfore kynge Edwarde dyd assemble a grete hoste for to fyght with them· And then this kyng Edwarde deyed whan god wolde. This kynge Edwarde regned .xxiiii. yere / and lyeth at wynchestre besyde his fader.

¶Of kynge Adelstone.

NOw after this Edwarde regned Adelstone his sone· And whā he had regned foure yere he helde batayll ayenst the Danys. And droue kynge Gaufride that was kyng of the Danys and all his hoste vnto the see / & [...]es­ted by Scotlonde / & toke strongely al the countree an hoole yere. And after y^t tho of Comberlonde & of Settes of westmerlonde begāne to warre vpon kyng Adelstone. And he gaue thē so stronge batayll / y^t he slewe so many of them that no man conde tell the nombre of them. And after y^t he regned but thre yere / and he regned in all .xxv. yere / & lyeth at Malmesbury.

¶Of kynge Edmonde.

THenne after this Adelstone regned ed­mōde his brother. For kyng Adelstone had no sone / and this Edmōde was a worthy man and a doughty knyghte of body / and a [...] [Page] noble also. And the thyrde yere after that he was kynge / he wente ouer Homber in to that countree in the whiche coūtree he fonude two kynges of Danys. That one was called Enelaf. And that other Renant· This kynge Edmonde droue them bothe fro the londe / and after wente / and toke a grete proye in Comberlonde. This Edmonde regned but .vii. yere / and lyeth at Glastenbury.

¶Of kynge Eldred

ANd after this Edmōde regned Eldred his broder that auenged Edwarde his fader of his enmyes that dyde hym slee. And after he seased all Northumberlonde in to his honde. And made the Scottes for to bowe and meke vnto his wyll. And in the seconde yere of his regne came Arnalaf Guyran that was kynge of Denmarke / and seased all Northumberlonde / and helde that londe two yere. And after that came kynge Eldred and draue hym out of this londe. And this kynge Eldred was a noble man and a good / Of whoos goodnes Saynt Dunstane preched. And this kynge Eldred regned .xi. yere / & lyeth at whynchester.

¶Of kynge Edwyn.

ANd after this Eldred regned Edwyn the sone of Edmonde. And he was a symple man to warde god and the people. For he hated folke of his owne londe / and loued & honoured straunge men. And sette lytell by holy chyrche. And he toke of hooly chirche all the tresour that he myght haue. That was greate shame & vylany to hymself / and peryll to hys soule. And therfore god wolde not that he sholne regne no lenger than foure yere and deyed / and lyeth at wynchestre·

LEo the syxt a Romayne was pope .vi. monethes. ¶Stephanus the .vii. was after hym two yere. ¶Iohannes the .xi. a Romayne was pope thre yere. ¶Stephanus the .viii. a germayne was pope after hym .viii. ye­re / ¶Martinus the thyrde was pope after hym thre yere / and of these .vi. popes is noo­thynge hadde in scrypture. For what cause I can not telle.

¶Of kynge Edgar that regned aboue the kynges of Scotlonde & of walys / and how he [...] was begyled thrug the takynge of his wyf.

ANd after this Edwyne regned Edgar hys brother a man that moche loued god and peas / and the ryght of hooly chyrche also. And he was a worthy man / & a grete lord of blood and myghty / and maycened well this londe in peas. And this Edgar was lorde and kynge aboue all the kynge of Scotlonde & of walys / fro the tyme that Arthur was gone / & neuer was sythen kynge of his power. ¶And this Edgar was saynt Edwardes fader. And whan Edgars wyf was deed y^t was saynt Edwardes moder & entryd / he herde speke of the fayrnesse of Estrylde / that was Orgarus doughter a baron of Deuenshyre that was so fay­re a woman / that all men dyde speke of her. He called one of hys knyhhtes that he moche loued & trusted vpon & tolde hym. Go [...] sayde he to the noble baron Orgarus of Deuenshy­re / & see yf that hys doughter be fayre as men speke of / & yf it be sothe I wyll haue her vnto my wyfe. ¶This knyght that was called E­delwolde wente forthe his waye as the kynge hym had sayd / & came there that the lady was And whan he sawe her so fayre / he thought to haue her hymself to wyfe. And therof spake to Grgarus her fader. And her fader was an ol­de man and no man chyldern but oonly her / & sawe y^t Edelwode was a fayre yonge knyght [Page lxvii] with the kyng / & thought his doughter sholde well be maryed & be sette vpon hym / & graun­ted hym his doughter yf the good lorde y^e kyn­ge wolde consente therto. ¶And thenne thys Edel wolde came ayen vnto the kynge & colde hym / that she was fayre ynough vpon to see / but she was wonder lothly. ¶Tho answerede the kynge and sayd that he toke but lytell charge. Syr sayd Edelwolde / she is her faders heyre / and I am not ryche of londes / & yf ye wolde consente and graunte that I myght her ha­ue / thenne sholde I be ryche ynough. In god­des name sayde the kynge. I consente therto. Edel wolde tho thanked the kynge ryght mo­the / & wente ayen in to Deuenshyre & spowsed the damoysell / and in that coūtree he dwelled. ¶And thus it befell vpon a tyme / that he tol­de his coūseyll & all this thynge vnto his wyf / how & in what maner he had begyled his lord the kynge that wolde haue hadde her to wyfe. And anone as she it wyst / she loued him neuer more after warde as she dyde before. ¶Thys lady conceyued by hym a sone. And whan ty­me wan that the chylde sholde be borne. Edel­wolde came to the kynge and prayed hym to haue a sone of his at the fonte stone. The kyn­ge hym graunted / And lete calle hym Edgar after his owne name. And whan this was done he thought that alle was syker ynough for the kynge / that he wolde not take hys wyf for as moche as hys lord was a Ioly man and an amerous.

¶How that kynge Edgar wedded Es­trylde after the deth of Edel wolde·

THus it befell that all men in kynge Edgars courte then̄e spake & sayd / y^t Edel wolde was rychely auaunced / thrugh the for­sayd maryage of his wyf. And yet they sayd he was auaunced an hondred folde more· For he had spowsed the moost fayrest creature y^t euer seen. And y^e kyng herde speke so moche of her beaute / y^t he thought he wolde haue hym dys­ceyued / & begyled. And thought pryuely in his herte / that he wolde goo into Deuenshyre / as it were for to hunte for the harte & for y^e hynde & other wylde beestes / & then̄e he sholde see there the lady or he departed thens. And this lady was dwellynge at manere place besyde the forest / there that the kynge wolde hunte / And a [...] that manere he was her borowed all nyghte. And whan tyme came that the kynge sholde suppe / and the sonne shone / the kyng asked after his gossyppe and after hys godsone· And Edelwolde made her to come before the kynge And neuerthelesse yf it other wyse myght ha­ue be she sholde not haue come in hys syght by hys wyll. ¶The lady welcome [...] the kynge & swetely hym kyssed. And he toke her by y^e hon­de / and to nexte by hym her sa [...]te / and so sou­ped they togyder. ¶And there was a custome and an vsage in this londe that tyme. That so whan on drake to an other / the drynker sholde saye wassayll. And that other sholde answere / and saye Drynke hayll. And thys dyde the kynge & the lady / and kyste many tymes. And after supper whan tyme was for to go to bedde / the kynge wente to bedde / then kynge her­tely on the [...]ayrnesse of that lady / & then̄e was ouer come for her loue / that hym thought that he sholde deye / but yf he hadde his wyll on her. ¶Vppon the morowe the kynge aroos and in the foreest wente hym for to dysporte wyth hartes & hyndes & all other wylde beestes. & of the hertes grete plente he sence to y^e lady. And thryes he went for to solace and to speke wyth that lady the whyles he dwelled there in that countree. ¶And after that the kyng remeued thens / and thought hym how he myghte best delyuer Edelwod fro hys wyf / as he had hym fyrste desceyued. And the kynge anone after .viii. dayes ordeyned a parlyament at salysbu­ry of all his baronage counseyll to haue. And for to ordeyne how the countree of Northumberlonde sholde best he kepte that the Danys came not there / the londe for to destroye. And thys Edelwode came vnto the kyngꝭ parlyament. And the kynge sent hym to yorke / for to be keper of that countree. ¶And thus it befel that knewe hym not slewe hym by the waye. ¶And anone as the kynge herde telle that he was deed / he lete sende after the lady E [...]ylde that he sholde come vnto the cyte of London and ther he wedded to the kyng with grete so­lempnyte and worshyp. And helde a solemp­ne feest. And he ware a crowne y^t was of golde & the quene an other. ¶And saynt Dunstane on the morowe came vnto the kynge in to the chambre / and founde the kynge in bedde an [...] the quene togyders. And sayn [...] Dunstane ax­ed the kynge who she was / And the kynge an­swered and sayd / y^t she was the quene E [...]yll­de. And the Archebyssop saynt Dunstance sayde [Page] that he dyde grete wronge / and ayenst goddes wyll to take a woman to wyf whose chyl­de ye had take at fonte stone. And y^e quene for that worde neuer loued saynt Dunstance af­ter. And the good man warned of that foly to be lefte / but it auaylled but lytell / for the loue bytwene them was so moche. The kynge be­gate vpon her a sone that was called Eldred· whan this childe was .vi. yere olde / the kynge his fader deyed. And aboute that tyme he had regned .xvii. yere / & lyeth at Glastenbury.

BEryngarius y^e thyrde was Emperour after Henrycus ·vii. yere / thys Beryn­garius was Emperour in ytaly. In whoos tyme was grete dyuysyon. ¶And Henricus thē perour decessed / and. Otto began to regne in Almayne. ¶Lothariꝰ regned after hym two yere / and decessed whan. Otto regned in Al­mayne. And hadde a wyf that hyght Dalny­ham. The whiche after wedded Otto. ¶Be­ringarius the fourth was after hym / this man with grete tyrannye subduedytaly / wherfore the pope and other romayns called Otto that he myghte delyuer them whiche he dyde. And he toke Beryngaryus by strength / and twyes he outlawed hym. And he toke Lotharius wyfe the whiche the tyraūt had prysoned. ¶Leo the .viii. was pope after Benedictus one yere and foure monethes. This man was chosen with the comyn voys / and Iohannes was deposyd. This Leo ordeyned that no pope shol­de be made without consente of y^e Emperour For the malyce of y^e Romayns the whiche oppressyd them. Thys man graunted all the yef­tes to Otto and hys successours / the whyche were yeuen by Iustinianus and Karolus to y^e chyrche / that he myghte defende ytaly frome the reberlyons. ¶Iohanes the .xii. was pope after hym almoost .viii. yere \ thys Iohēs suf­fred grete wronge of y^e Romayns For he was take and exyled but Otto bare this heuyly. For he slewe the noble men of Rome / and certayne of them exyled for euer more. Benedyc­tus the .vi. was pope after hym .vi· yere / thys man was take / and in the castell Aungell was strangled. ¶Nota. ¶The Empyre in thys tyme was translated to the Almayns. And the same cause is here as was before / for the [...]ycyous lyuynge. Ne these vnhappy men cowde not be Informed / that they shold eschewe that [...]o woyce / thrugh the whiche they sa­ [...]e soo many noble men to perysshe. ¶Otto was Emperour after Beryngarius .xii. yere. This Otto was the fyrst Emperoure of Al­mayne. And he was all vertuous as an other kynge karolus for he was the defender of the chyrche of god / and the syngular promoter for the whyche he was worthy to be Emperoure Many men of fals byleue he conuerted And he helde with hym pope Benedictus the vsur­per of the popeherd in to Soxony. And there he decessyd in his exyle. And this Emperoure decessyd a ryche man in vertue and goodnes. ¶Otto the seconde was Emperour after his fader. And he was a noble man to the chyrche as his fader was. And many a batayll he had ayenst the fals men of byleue. And at the laste he almoost loste all his hoste in Kalabur / yet for sothe with all his mynde besought saynt Pe­ter to helpe. And meruellously saynte Peter delyuered hym And his wyf was the doughter of y^e Emperour of Constantynopolytan of the Romans bloode And this man was crowned of Benedictus the pope.

¶Of saynte Edwarde the martyr how Escrylde hys stepmoder lete kylle hym / for to make Eldred her owne sone kynge.

ANd after this Edgar regned Edwar­de his sone / that he begate vpon hys fyrste wyfe / that wyll and nobly gouerned the londe. For he was full of all maner of goodnes and ledde a full holy lyf. And aboue all thynge he loued god & holy chyrche. And the quene Escrylde that was his stepmoder lete slee hym by cause to make her owne sone Eldred kynge. And this on a daye he was slayne / as ye shalle here afterwarde. ¶It befell thus vpon a day that tha [...] kynge Edwarde wente in to a woode for to playe / in the southe coūtree be syde a towne that is called warham. In y^t whiche foreste was grete pleyntye of hartes and hyndes. And whan he had ben whyle there hym for to playe he thought vpon his broder Eldrede that was with hys moder the quene / for her place waste nygh the foreste / and thought for to goo thyder and vysyte and see hys brother. And toke with hym but a lytell meyne / & wente hym towarde hys stepmoders hous / that in that tyme soiourned in the castell of Corfe. And as he rede in y^e thyckensse of a wood is speye hys game / it be­fell that he wente amysse and loste hys meyne that with hym came. And at the laste he came [Page xlviii] out of the wood. And as he lo [...]d hym about / he sawe there there fast besydes a [...]e that hys stepmoder dwelled in / and thyder warde he wente alone And anone it was tolde the quene / how that the kyng was comen alone wyth out ony company. And therfore she made Ioy ynough / and thought how that she myght do that he were slayne as pryuely as she myght / called to her one of her knyghtes. To whome she had tolde moche of her counseyll bytwene them. And bothe they came to the kynge and curteysly hym receyued. ¶And the kynge tol­de that he was come to vysyte / and also for to speke with Eldred his broder The quene many tymes hym thankyd. and hym prayed for for alyght / and her borugh with her al y^t nyght ¶The kynge sayd / that he myght not. But agayne he wold goo vnto hys folke / yf he my­ghte theym fynde. ¶And whan the quene sawe that he wolde not abyde / she prayed hym that he wolde ones drynke / and he graunted her. And anone as the drynke was come / the quene dranke vnto the kynge. And the kynge tooke the cuppe and sette it to his mouth. And in the meane whyle that he dranke / the false knyght y^t was with y^e quene with a knyfe smote the kyng vnto the herte. & there he fell dow­ne deed vnto the erthe of his palfroy. The quene for this dede gaue the knyght golde and syl­uer greate plente and of other ryches ynough And the knyght anone as thys was done wente hym ouer the see. And so escaped he oute of this londe. ¶Whan this kyng Edwarde was thus martred. It was in the yere of the Incarnacyon of our lorde Ihesu Cryste .ix.C.lxxx. And he had regned .xii. yere and an halfe / and lyeth at Glastenbury.

¶Of the kynge Eldred / & how the kynge Swyne of Denmake helde Englonde. and how Eldred that saynt Edwardes brother was not beloued in hys Realme / and ther­fore he fledde in to Normandye.

SO after this Edwarde regned Eldred his brother. And saynt Dunstane crowned hym· And this saynt Dunstane deyed soone after that he hadde foryeuen the quene her trespa [...]s / by cause that she was cause of kyn­ge Edwardes deth. And saynt Dunstane had her assoylled / and penaunce hadde her [...]oy­ned. And she lyued after a chaste lyf and a clene. ¶This kynge Eldred wedded an Englysshe woman / & on her begate Edmonde Irensyde and an other sone that was called Edwy­ne. And after deyed the quene theyr moder. ¶And in that tyme came Swyne in to Eng­londe that was kyng of Denmark / for to chalenge and to conquere all that his auncetrees had before that tyme. And soo he conquered & had it all his axyng. ¶For the good erle Cuthberte of Lynd eseye and all the people of Northumberlonde / and almoost al the grece of Englonde helde wyth Swyne that was kyng of Denmark / for so moche as they loued no [...] kynge Eldred / for by cause that hys good brother Edwarde was slayn for loue of hym. And therfore no man sette but lytell by hym. wherfore kynge Swyne had all hys wyll / and toke alle the londe. And Eldred the kynge fledde th [...] in to Normandye. And soo spake to the duke Ry­charde / that the duke yaue hym his syster Emme to wyf Vpon the whiche he gate two sones that one was called Alured and that other Edwarde. And whan Swyne had conquered all the londe / he regned nobly and lyued .xv. yere and thenne he deyed and lyeth at yorke.

¶How kynge Eldred came ayē from Normandy / and how knoght the Da­ne regned / & of the warre betwixt hym and Edmonde Irensyde.

THus after y^e deth of Swyne that was a Dane. Knoght hys sone dwelled in Englonde / and wolde haue ben kynge. And tho came agayne Eldred out of Normandye with moche nombre of people / & with a stron­ge meyne that Knoght durste not abyde / but fledde thens in to Denmarke. The kynge El­dred had agayne his reame / and helde so grete worshyp / that he began for to destroye all tho that halpe Swyne that was a Dane ayenste hym. And afterwarde came agayne this Knoghte from Denmark wyth a grete power / soo that kynge Eldred durste not with hym fyght but fledde from thens vnto London / and there he helde hym. ¶Tho came Knoght & hym besyeged soo longe / tyll that kyng Eldred dey­ed in the Cytee of London / and lyeth at saynt Poules. And he regned .ix. yere.

BOnu [...] was pope after Benedictꝰ one yere. This man abode but a lytell tyme ¶Bonifacius was pope after hym fyue mo­nethes. ¶Benedictus was pope after hym .x. yere / This man crowned Otto the seedde / & [Page] made many Romayns to be taken And he ga­dred a counseyll agaynst the kynge of Fraun­ce / where Gylbert the Nygramancer was de­posed. ¶Iohannes the ·xiiii. was pope after hym .viii. monethes. And he was put in the castell Aungell / and was famyned to dethe. ¶Iohannes the .xv. was pope after hym fou­re monethes. ¶Iohannes the .xvi. was pope after hym almoost .xi. yere. Thys man was taught in armes / & made many bokes / & elles lytell of hym is wryten. ¶Gregorius the .v. was pope after this man almoost thre yere. And this Gregorius was made pope atte the Instaunce of the Emperour Otto thyrde / for he was his consyn / And whan he hadde be a lytell whyle pope / and the Emperoure receded from the cyte of Rome. Placentinus was put in by Crecensius a Counsul for moneye / And thenne was stryfe a fewe dayes. But the Em­perour came soone after / and tooke Crecensi­us the Consull / and stroke of his heed / & putte out the eyen of this man Placencius pope / y^e whiche put out his cosyn of the dignyte of the pope▪ And maymed hym on other membres / his knyghtes ne his dukes halpe hym no thynge. For he dyde that thynge that he sholde not haue done. And he suffred that that he deser­ued. ¶Nota. This Gregorius with the Em­perour Otto ordeyned the chesers of the Em­pyre / the whiche frome thens forth hathe a bode vnto this daye. For the Frensshmen ne none other myghte not breke that ordynaunce. And those the [...]ers of the Empyre by the pope and Otto were not made for ony blame of the Saxons / but to eschewe the euylles to come. And theyr names ben wryten for lerned men in latyn in these verses. (Maguntinensis Treuerensis Coloniensis Quilibe [...] imperu fit cancellarius horum. Et Palatinus da [...]ifer Dux Portitorensis. Marchio prepositus ca­mere. Pincerna Bohemus Hustatuunt do­minum cuntis persecula summum. Palatinꝰ est comes ren [...]. Marcio est Brandebur gen­sis Dux saxorum et rex Bohemorum. verū vt quidam dicunt. ¶Thrugh this occasyon the Egle hathe loste many a feder. And in the en­de he shall be made naked. ¶Otto the thyrde was Emperour .xviii. yere. Thys man was a worthy man alle the dayes of hys Empyre. And after the wysdome of his fader / he was a very holy faythfull man to the chirche. And in many bataylles he prosperyd by cause he was deuoute vnto almyghty god and hys sa­yntes. And yaue myghty worshyppynge to y^e relykes of sayntes. And oftentymes he vysy­ted hooly places. ¶This man was crowned by Gregorius hys cosyn. And atte the laste he decessyd at Rome.

¶Of kynge Knoght that was a Dane.

ANd after the dethe of Eldred Knoght that was a Dane began to regne. but Edmonde Irensyde that was kyng Eldredes sone by his fyrste wyf / ordeyned a grete pow­er of men / & began for to warre on kyng Kno­ghte / And so he dyde many tymes and often / And the warre was so stronge & harde / y^e won­der it was to wyte· ¶And the quene Emme that dwelled tho in westmestre / had grete dre­de of her two sones of the warre Alured & Edwarde / lest they sholde be defoyled & mysdone thorugh this warre. wherfore she sente theym ouer y^e see in to Normandy to y^e duke Rycharde theyr vncle. And there they dwelled in saufte and peas longe tyme. ¶This Edmonde Irensyde and Knoght the Dane warred strongely to gyder. But at the last they were accorded in this manere / y^t they sholde departe y^e reame betwixt them both / and soo they dyde / & after they became good frendes. And so well loued to gyder as they had ben brethern goten of one fader and of one moder borne.

¶How kynge Edmonde Irensyde traytoursly was slayne thorugh a traytour / that was ralled Eldred of Strotton.

ANd after tho regned kynge Irensyde and Knoght the Dane. But thus it befel afterwarde / that in the same yere that they were accorded / and so moche loued to gyder. wherfore a fals traytour hadde enuytee to the loue that was betwixt theym and frendshyp / whoos name was Edrith of Stratton / y^t was a grete lord / that was Edmonde Irensydes man / & of hym helde all the londe that he had. And neuertheles he thought his lord to betray & make Knoght kynge of the londe / to the entente rychely to be auaūced / and with hym be well beloued / wherfore he prayed hys lord Ed­monde Irensyde vppon a daye wyth hym for to ete. And the kynge hym curteysly graunted & to hym came at his prayer And at the mete y^e kynge ryally was serued wyth dyuers meeteꝭ and drynkes. And whan the nyght came y^t he sholde go vnto bedde. The kynge toke his owne meyne & went vnto the chambre there y^t he sholde take his nyghtes reste. And as he loked hym about / he sawe a fayre ymyge & well ma­de / and in semblaūt as it were an Archer with a boowe / & in the boowe a fyne arowe. ¶Kynge Edmonde wente tho nere for to beholde it better what it myght be. And anon the arowe smote hym thrughe the body & there slewe the kynge· For that engyne was made for to slee his owne lorde traytoursly. ¶And soo whan kynge Edmōde was thus deed and slayne he had regned but .x. yere. And his peple for hym made moche sorowe. And his body they ba [...]e vnto Glastenbury & there theym hym en [...]yred ¶And this fals traytour Edrith anone went unto the quene / that was kynge Edmondes wyf / that wyst not of her lordes dethe. Anone he toke frome her tow sones that were fayre & yonge / that her lorde had vpon her goten that one was called Edward / & that other Edwyn And lawe theym with hym to Londen & toke them vnto kynge Knoght / y^t he sholde do wyth them what his wyll were. And tolde hym how subtylly he had slayne kyng Edmonde / for by cause & loue of hym / so that kynge Knoght all Englonde in his power hooly myghte haue. ¶O thou fals traytoure / haste thou my true brother that was soo true thus slayne for me / mā I most loued in y^e world. Now by my heed I shall for thy traueyll well rewarde as thou hast deserued / & anone lett hym be take & bounde honde & foot in maner of a traytour / & lete cast hym there in to Tamyse / & in thys maner the fals traytour ended his lyf. The kynge toke the two childern and put them unto the ab­bot of westmestre to warde & to kepe tyll that he wyst was best with them to do.

¶How kynge Knoght sente kynge Edmondes sones both in to Dēmarke to be slayne / and how they were saued.

SO it befell soone after that kynge Knoghte had all the londe in his honde / and [Page] spowsed the quene Emme thorughe consente of his baronage. For she was a fayre woman the whiche was Eldredes wyf and the dukes syster of Normandye / and they lyued togyder with moche loue as reason wolde. The kynge axed vpon a daye counseyll of the quene what was best to do with the sonnes that were Ed­monde Irensydes. Syre sayd she. they ben the ryght heyres of y^e londe / and yf they lyue they wyll do moche sorowe with warre / and ther­fore lete sende them in to a strange londe a ferre to some man that maye them defoyle and destroy. The kynge anone lete calle a dane that was called walgar / and commaunded hym that he sholde lede tho two childern / in Den­marke / and soo to doo and ordeyne for them / that he sholde neuer here more of theym. Syr sayde this walgar / gladly your commaunde­ment shall be done & anone tho two chyldern he toke and ladde them in to Denmarke. And for as moche as he sawe that the chyldern we­re wonder fayr and also meke / he had of them grete pyte & ruthe / & wolde them slee / but ladde them to the kynge of Hungry for to noursshe / for this walgar was well be knowen with the kynge & well beloued. Anone the kynge axed whens the childern were / & walgar tolde hym and sayde / that they were the ryght heyres of Englonde and therfore men wolde destroye them / And therfore syr vnto you they be come mercy & helpe for to seke. And for sothe yf they may lyue / your men they shal become / and of you they shall holde all theyr londe. The kyn­ge of Hungry receyued them wyth moche ho­nour / and lete them worthely be kepte. ¶And thus it befell after warde that Edwyne y^e yonger brother deyed / & Edwarde y^e elder brother lyued / a fayre man & a stronge / & a large of body & gentyll / and curteys of condycyons / so y^t all men hym loued / And this Edwarde in the Cronycles is called amonge the Englysshmen Edwarde y^e outlawe. ¶And whan as he was made knyght / the kynges doughter of Hūgry hym moche loued for hys goodnes & hys fayr­nes / that she him called her derlyng. The kynge that was her fader perceyued well the loue that was betwixt them two / and had no hey­re but only that doughter / and the kyng vowche sauf his doughter to no man so well / as he dyde to hym that she loued soo well & he her / & yaue her vnto hym with a good wyll / and Edwarde her spowsed with moche honour. The kynge of hungry sente after all hys baronage and made a solempne feest & a ryche weddyn­ge. And made all mē to vnderstande / that this Edwarde sholde be kynge of that londe after the decesse of hym. And of that tydynges they were all full gladde. This Edward begate vppon his lady a sone / that was called Edgar Helynge / & afterwarde a doughter that was cal­led Margarete that afterwarde was quene of Scotlonde. And by the kynge of Scotlonde y^t was called Mancolin she had a doughter that was called Maude y^t was quene afterwarde of Englonde / thrugh kynge Henry that was the fyrste sone of the conquerour that her wedded And he begate on her a doughter that was called Maude that afterwarde was Empres­se of Almayn. And of this Maude came y^e kynge of Englonde that vnto thys daye is called Henry the Empresse sone. And yet hadde thys Edwarde an other doughter by hys wyfe that was called Crysten and she was a Nonne.

¶How kynge Knoght that was proude man conquered Normandy / & how he became afterwarde meke and mylde.

NOw haue we herde of Edmonde Iren­sydes sones that kynge Knoght wende they had ben slayne as he had commaunded walgar before· And this kynge Knoght hadde in his honde all the reame of Englonde & denmarke. And after that they wente vnto Nor­waye that londe for to conquere. But the kynge of the lond that was called Elat came with his people / & wende his londe to haue well kepte & defended / & soo there he faught wyth hym tyll at the laste he was slayne in that batayll. And tho this Knoght toke all the londe in hys honde. And whan he had conquered Norway and taken feaute & homages there / he came a­yen into Englonde / and helde hym self so gre­te a lord / that hym thought in all the world hys pere noo man was. And he came soo proude & hauteyne that it was grete wonder. ¶And so it befell vpon a daye as he had herde masse at westmestre / and wolde haue gone in to hys palays / the wayes of the Tamyse so swyftely a­yenst hym came that almoost they touched his feet. Tho sayd the kynge with a proude herte I cōmaunde the water to torne ayen / or elles I shall make the \ The wawes for his cōmaundemente wolde not spare / but flowed euer in [Page l] heyght more and more. ¶The kynge was so proude of herte that he wolde not flee the wa­ter and bete it with a rodde that he had in hys honde / and cōmaunded the water that it shol­de go no ferder. But for all his cōmaundemēt the water wolde not cesse / but euer wexed mo­re and more on hygh / so that the kyng was all wete & stode depe in the water. And whan he sawe that he had abyden there to longe / & the water wolde no thynge do his cōmaundemēt tho soone he with drewe hym / and tho stode he vpon a stone and helde his hondes on hyghe & sayde these wordes herynge alle the people. ¶This god that maketh the see thus aryse / is kynge of all kyngꝭ / and of all myghtes moost. And I am a catyf and a man deedly / and he maye neuer deye / & all thynge dothe hys com­maundement / & to hym obedyent. ¶To that god I praye / that he be my warraunt. For I knowlege me a caytyf feble / and of no power And therfore I wyll goo vnto Rome without ony longe lettynge / and my wyckednesse for to punysshe and me to amende. For of god I clayme my londe for to holde / and of none o­ther. And anon made redy his heyre and hym selfe wente to Rome withoute ony lettynge. And by the waye dyde many almesse dedes / and whan he came to Rome also. And whan he hadde be there / for his synnes doo penaun­ce / he came ayen in to Englonde / and beca­me a good man and a holy. And lyued and lef­te alle manere pryde and stoutenes / lyued an hooly lyfe after / and made two abbayes af sa­ynt Benet / one in Englonde and an other in Normandye / for as moche as he loued saynte Benet more specyally thanne other sayntes. And moche he loued saynt Edmonde the kyn­ge. And ofte he yaue greate yeftes to the how se / wherfore it was made ryche. ¶And whan he hadde regned .xx. yere he deyed / and lyeth at wynchestre.

¶Of kynge Harold that leuer had goo on foot than ryde on hors.

THis Knoght of whom we haue spoken of before / hadde two sones by his wyf Emme / & that one was called Hardyknoght / and that other Harold. And he was so lyght of foot that men called hym moost comynly Ha­rolde Hare foot. And this Harold had no thynge the condycyons & the maners of kyng [...]no­ghte that was his fader. For he sette but lytell pryce of chyualrye / ne noo curteyse nother worshyp / but only by hys owne wyll And he became soo wycked that he exyled hys moder Emme. And she went out of y^e lōde in to Flaū ­dres / & there dwelled with the erle / wherfore after there was neuer good loue betwixt hym & his broder For his broder hated hym deedly [...] and whan he had regned two yere and lytell more / he deyed and lyeth at westmestre.

¶Of kynge Kariknoght that was Haroldes brother.

AFter this Harold Hare foot / Regned his brother Hardiknoght a noble kny­ghte and a worthy man / and moche loued chyualry / and all maner of goodnes / And whan thys Hardiknoght had regned a lytell whyle / he lette vncouere hys brother Harold & smote of his heed / that was his brother att westme­stre / & lete cast the heed in to a gonge / & the bo­dy in to Tamyse. And after came fysshers & toke the body with theyr nettes by nyght / and bare hym to saynt Clementes chyrche and there hym caryed. And in this maner auenged hym Hardiknoght of hys broder for in none other [Page] maner he myght be auengeb· This kyng Hardiknoght was so large a yeuer of meete & drynke / that his tables were sete euery daye thre tymes full ryall meetes & drynkes for his owne meyne / and for all that came vnto / hys courte to be rychely serued of ryall meetes. And thys kynge Hardiknoght sent after Emme his moder / & made her come ayen ī to Englonde / for she was dryuen out of Englonde whyle that Harold Hare f [...]ot regned / thrugh counseyll of the erle Godewin / y^t tho was the grettest lorde of Englonde next the kyng / & moost myght do thrugh oute all Englonde what he wolde hys cōmaūdement / for as moche as he had hys spoused doughter of y^e good kyng Knoght / that was a Dane / whiche doughter he had by hys fyrste wyfe. ¶And whan this quene was dryuen out of Englonde / and come to the Erle of Flaundres / that was called Balde wyne her cosyn / he founde her there all thynge that her neded / vnto the tyme that she went ayen in to Englonde / that the kynge Hardiknoght had sente for her that was her sone and made her come ayen with moche honour. This kynge Hardyknoght whan he had regned fyue yere he deyed and lyeth at westmestre.

¶Of the vylany that the Dany [...] dyde to y^e Englysshmen. wherfore fro y^e tyme after was no Dane made kynge of this londe.

ANd after the deth of this kynge Hardyknoght / for as moche as he hadde noo thynge of hys body begoten / The erles & ba­rons assembled / & made a coūsell / that neuer more after noo man y^e was a Dane / though he were neuer so grete a man amonges them / he sholde neuer be kynge of Englonde for the despyte that the Danes hadde done to Englyssh­men. For euermoore before & yf it were so that the Englysshmen and the Danys hapened for to mete vpon a brydge / the Englysshmen sholde not be so hardy to meue ne styre a foot / but stande styll tyll the Dane were passed for the. And more ouer yf y^e Englysshmen had not bo­wed downe theyr heedes to doo reuerence vnto the Danys / they sholde haue ben beten & defoylled. And suche maner despytes & vylany dyde the Danys to our Englysshmen. wherfore they were dryuen out of y^e londe after tyme that kynge Hardyknoght was deed / for they had no lord y^e theym myght mayntene. ¶And in this maner auoyded the Danys Englonde that neuer they came ayen. ¶The erles & barons by theyr comyn assent & by theyr counsel­les sent unto Normandy for to seke those two brethern Alured & Edwarde y^t were dwellyng with the duke Richharde that was theyr came in entente for to crowne Alured the elder bro­ther / & hym make kynge of Englonde. And of this kynge to make an ende / the erles & barons made theyr othe. But the Erle Godewin of westsex falsely & traytoursly thought to slee the se two brethern anone as they sholde come in to Englonde / in entent / to make hys sone Harolde kynge the whyche sone he had begote vp on his wyf / the whiche was kynge Knoghtes doughter that was a Dane. And so this Godewin pryuely hym wente to South hampton for to mete there the two brethern whan that they sholde come vnto london. ¶And thus it befell the messengers that went in to Normandy / foūde but oonly Alured that was the elder brother For Edwarde hys brother was gone in to hūgry for to speke with his cosyn Edwarde the outlawe / y^t was Edmonde sone with the Irensyde. The messengers tolde & sayde Alured / how that erles & barons of Englonde sen­te after hym / & that he boldely sholde come in to Englonde and receyue the reame. For kynge Hardiknoght was deed and all the Danes dryuen out of the londe.

¶How Godewin the fals traytour to­ke Alured vppon Gyldesdowne whan that he came from Normandy to be kynge of Englonde and how he caused hym to be martyred in the yle of Ely.

AS Alured herde these tydynges he thā ­ked god. And in shyppe went with all the hast y^t he myght & passed the see / & arryued at Southhampton there Godewin the fals traytour was. And whan this traytour sawe that he was come / he welcomed hym and receyued hym with moche Ioye & sayd / that he wolde lede hym to London there y^e all the barons of Englonde hym abode to make hym kynge. And so they went on theyr waye to warde London / And whan they came on Gyldesdowne tho sayd the traytour Godewin vnto Alured Take kepe aboute you both on the left syde & ryght syde / & of all ye shall be kynge / and of su­che and hondred more Now forsothe sayd Alured. I behyght you & yf I be kynge. I shall ordeyne & make suche lawes / wherfore god and [Page li] man shal [...] [...] [...]ell pleased. Now had the traytour cōm [...] [...] al his men y^t were with hym That wh [...]re come vpon Gyldesdowne that the [...]lee all that were Aluredes cōpany / that [...]re with hym fro Normandy / and after that take Alured & lede hym in to the yle of ely & after put out hys eyen of his heed & afterwarde brynge hym to y^e deth / & so they dyde. For they slewe al y^e cōpany that there were / y^e nōbre of xii. gentylmen that were come with hym fro Normādy / & after toke they Alured & in y^e yle of Ely they put out his eyen & rent hys wombe & toke the chyef of his bowels / & put a steke in the groūde / & an ende of y^e bowels ther to fastened / & with nedles eylesse of yren they prycked the good chylde / & so made hym to go about y^e stake tyll y^t al his bowels were drawē out of his body / & so dyed Alured there thrugh treason of the erle Godewin. ¶Whan the lordes of Englond had herde & wyst how Alured that shold haue be theyr kyng was put to deth thrugh the fals traytour Godewin they were wonder wroth. And swore bytwene god & thē that he sholde deye a more wors deth / than dyde Edrith of Strattō / y^t had betrayed his lord Edmonde Irensyde / & they wolde haue pute hym to deth / but y^e theyf traytour fledde thens in to Denmark / & there helde hym foure yere and more / and lost all his londe in Englonde.

SIluester the thyrde was pope after Be­nedictus. ¶Thys Siluester was chose / and Benedictus was expulsyd. And after warde was he expulsyd / and Benedictus was put vp ayen. And after he was put out / and Gregorius was made pope. ¶And he was but a symple lettred man / and therfore he chose an other man for to be consecrate with hym And whan many men were dyspleased wyth thys godynge of two popes / the thyrde was brought in the whyche sholde occupye the pla­ce of bothe the tow. And so they stroue amonge themself. But Henry the Emperour came thenne to Rome & deposyd them all and made Clement the seconde pope / whom he made a­none to crowne hym. And he sayde to the Ro­mayns / they sholde neuer chese pope wythout his assente. And soo fyue beynge popes / sixte was put in. And many men saye / this Gregorius was an holy man. ¶Damasius the secō de was after Clemente .xx. dayes. This man was an vsurper of the popeheed / and so he deyed sodenly. And anone the Romayns asked to haue a pope / & that the Almayns sholde haue none. For they were so harde herted / that they myhht not enclyne to the entence of the Emperour / the whiche sayd. There sholde be no po­pe chosen but yf he wolde be of counseyl of the eleccyon. But for all that the put in this holy man Leo / and after he had of that conscyence and refused. And anone he was chosyn by the comyn assent / this Leo put Cryste in the fourme of a Laser in his owne bedde / and in y^e mo­rowe he founde no thynge there.

¶Of saynt Edwarde the confessour / that was Aluredes brother / & how he was kynge of Englonde.

ANd whan this was done / al the barons of Englonde sente an other tyme in to Normandy / for that Edw [...]rde sholde come in to Englond with moche honour. And this Edwarde in hys chyldehode loued almyghty god & hym drad­de. And in honeste and clennesse hadde his lyf and hated synne as dethe. And whan he was crowned and anoynted wyth a ryall power forgate not his good maners and condycyons that he fyrste vsed. And forgate not alle good customes for no maner of honour / ne for ry­ches / ne no manere hyghnes. But euermore and more yaue hym to goodnesse and loued god and hooly chyrche passynge all other ma­nere thynge. ¶And poore men also be loued / and theym helde as they hadde ben hys owne brethern. And to them ofte he yaue greate al­messe with full good wyll.

¶Of the fyrste specyall loue that god she [...] to saynt Edwarde lyuynge.

IT befell on a daye / as he went from the chyrche of westmestre. And hadde herde masse of saynt Iohan the Euangelyst / for as moche as he loued saynt Iohn̄ euangelyst more specially after god and hour lady than he dyde ony other saynt. And so there came to hym a pelgryme / & prayed hym for the loue of god and our lady and saynt Iohan the euangelyst some good hym for to yeue. And the kynge pryuely toke his rynge of his fynder / that no man perceyued it and yaue it to the pelgryme / and he it receyued and wente thens. ¶This kynge [Page] Edwarde made all the good lawas of En­glonde / that yet ben moost vsed and holden. And was so mercyable and so ful of pyte / that noo man myght be more.

¶How the erle Godewyn came ayen in to Englonde & had ayen all his londe / and afterwarde saynt Edwarde weded his doughter.

AS the Erle Godewin that was dwel­lynge in Denmarke had moche herde of the godnesse of kyng Edwarde / & y^t he was so full of mercy & of pyte. He thought y^t he wol­de go ayen in to Englonde / for to seke & to ha­ue grace of the good kynge Edwarde that soo mercy full was / that he myght haue ayen hys londe in peas. And arayed hym as moche as he myght & put hym to warde the see & came in to Englonde to London there the kynge was that tyme and all the lordes of Englonde / and helde a parlyament. Godewin sente to hym y^t were his frendes / and were the moost grettest lordes of the londe / & prayed them to beseche the kynges graet for hym / & that he wolde hys peas & his londe graunte hym. The lordes ledde hym before the kyng to seke his grade. And anone as the kynge hym sawe / he apeled hym of treason & of the deth of Alured his brother and these wordes vnto hym sayde. Traytour Godewin sayd the kynge I the appele / y^t thou hast betrayed & slayn my brother Alured. Certes syr sayde Godewin. sauynge your grace & your peas and your lordshyp. I hym neuer betrayed / ne yet hym slewe· & therfore I put me in rewarde of y^e courte. Now fayr lordes sayd the kynge. ye y^t ben my lyeges / erles & barons of the londe that here be assembled / fulle welle ye herde my appele / And the answere also of Godewin / and therfore I woll that ye a war­de and dooth ryght. The erles & Barones tho gadred them all togyder for to do this a warde by themself / and so they spake dyuersely amū ­ge them. For some sayd / there was neuer aly­aunce by homage seriment seruyce ne by lordshyp bytwene Godewin and Alured / for whyche thynge they myght hym drawe. And att the laste they deuysyd and demed / That he sholde put hym in y^e kynges mercy all togyder. Tho spake y^e erle Leuerik of Couentree a good mā to god and to all the worlde / and tolde hys reason in this manere & sayd. The erle Godewin is the best fended man of Englonde after the Kynge / & well it myght not be agayne sayd / y^e wythout counsell of Godwin Alured was neuer put to dethe / wherfore I a warde as tow­chynge my parte / that hymself & hys sone & e­uery of vs .xii. erles that ben hys frendes goo before the kynge / charged with as moche gol­de & syluer as we maye bere betwyxt our hon­des / praynge y^e kyng to forgyue his euyll wyll to the erle Godewin / & receyue hys homage / & his londe yelde ayen. And they accorded vnto that a warde / and came in thys maner as is a­bouesayd euery of them with holde and syluer as moche as they myght bere bytwene her hondes before the kynge / & there sayd the fourme & the maner of they accorde & of theyr a warde The kyng wolde not theym agayne saye / But as moche as they ordeyned / he graunted & confermed And so was y^e erle Godewin accorded with the kynge / & so he had ayen all his londe. And afterwarde he bare hym so well & so wysely / that the kynge loued hym wonder moche / & with hym he was fulle preuy. And within a lytell tyme they loued so moche / that there the kynge spowsed Godewyns doughter / & made her quene. And neuerthelesse though the kyng­ge had a wyf / yet he lyued euer in chastyce & clē nesse of body without ony flesshely dede doyn­ge with his wyf. And the quene also in her hal­fe ladde an holy lyf two yere / and deyed. And afterwarde the kyng lyued all hys lyf without ony wyf. ¶The kynge yaue the erledome of Oxenforde to Harolde that was Godewyns sone / and made hym erle. And so well they we­re beloued / bothe the fader and he / and so pryue with the kyng / both the fader and the sone that they myghte doo by ryght what thynge that they wolde For ayenst ryght wolde he nothynge doo for noo maner man / soo good and true he was of conscyence. And therfore oure lorde Ihesu Cryste greate specyall loue vnto hym shewed.

¶How kyng Edwarde sawe Swyne kyn­ge of Denmark drowned in the see in the tyme of the Sacrament as he stode & herde masse.

IT befelle vppon wytsondaye as kynge Edwarde herde his masse in the greate chyrche of westmestre nyghe att the leuacyon of Ihesu Crystis body / and as alle men were gadred in to the chyrche. and came nyght the awter for to see the sacrynge. the kyng his hondes lyfe vp on hygher and a grete laughter to­ke vp. Wherfore all that aboute hym stode gre­tely [Page lii] ganne wonder. And after masse / they axed why the kynges laughter was fayre lorde sayd kyng Edwarde. I sawe Swyne the yonger that was kynge of Denmarke come in to the see with hys power for to haue come in to Englonde vpon vs for to warre. And I sawe hym and hys folke drowned in the see / and all thys I sawe in the leuacyon of Crystis bo­dy bytwene y^e preestes hondes and I had therfore so grete Ioye that I myght not my laughter withholde. ¶And the erle Leueryk besyde hym stode at the leuacyon / and openly sawe y^e fourme of brede torne in the lykenesse of a yonge chylde / and tooke vp hys ryght honde and blessyd the kynge and after the erle and the er­le anone torned hym to ward y^e kȳge for to make hym see y^e hooly syght. And to saide y^e kynge ¶Syre Erle sayde he I see welle y^t ye see / thā ­ked be god that I haue honoured my god my sauoyour vysybly Ihesu Cryst in fourme of man. whoos name he blessyd in all worldes.

¶How the rynge that saynt Edwarde had gyuen to a poore pelgryme / for the loue of god & saynt Iohan Euangelyst came ayen to kynge Edwarde.

THys noble man Saynt Edwarde reg­ned .xiii. yere. And thus it befelle vp­on a tyme are he deyed / that two men of Englonde were gone in to holy londe / and had done theyr pelgrymage / and were goynge ayen in to theyr owne countree where they came fro And as they went in y^e waye / they mette a pyl­gryme that curtely theym saluwed / and axed of them in what londe and in what countree they were borne. And they sayd in Englonde. Tho axed he who was kynge of Englonde. And they answered & sayd. the good kyng Edwarde. ¶Fayre frendes sayd tho the pelgryme / whan y^t ye come in to your countres ayen. I praye you y^t ye wyll go vnto kynge Edwar­de / & oftentymes grete hym in myn name and oftentymes hym thanke of hys grete curteysy that he to me hath done & namely for the ryn­ge that ye haue me whan he hadde herde masse at westmestre for saynt Iohans loue Euange­lyst. And toke it to y^e pelgremes & sayd. I pray you go and bere this rynge & take it vnto king Edwarde / and tel hym that I sende it hym and a full ryche yefte I wyll hym yeue. For vpon the .x. daye he shall come unto me / & euermore dwelle in blesse without ony ende. ¶Syr sayde y^e pelgremes / what mē be ye / & in what countree is your dwellynge. ¶Fayr frendes sayd he I am Iohn̄ the Euāgelyste / and I am dwellynge with almyghty god / and your kynge Edwarde is my frende / & I loue hym ī specyal for by chause that he hath euermore lyued in clen­nesse & is a clene mayde & I praye you my message fulfyll as I haue you sayd. whan y^e saynt Iohan the euangelyst had them thus charged sodenly he voyded out of theyr syghtes bothe / The pelgrymes tho thanked almyghty god & wene forth theyr waye. And whan they hadde gone two or thre myle. they begā to waxe wery & sette them a downe for to rest them / & so they felle one slepe / And whan they had slepte well one of them a woke & lyfe vp hys heed & loked about / & sayd to his felowe. Aryse vp & walke we in our way. what sayd that one felowe vnto that other / where be we now. Certes sayde that other / it semeth me y^t this is not the same coūtree there we layde vs downe in for to rest & slepe. For we were from Ierusalem but thre myle. They toke vp theyr hondes and blessyd them / & went forth in theyr way And as they went in theyr waye / they sawe shep [...] go­ynge wyth theyr shepe y^e spake none other lan­gage but englysshe. ¶Good frendes sayd one of the pelgrymes / what countree is this & who is lorde therof. ¶And one of the sheperdes answered & sayd. this is y^e coūtree of kent in Englonde / of the whiche the good kyng Edwarde is lorde of. The pelgrymes [...]anked tho almyghty god and saynt Iohn̄ Euangelyst & wente forthe in theyr waye and came to Caunter­bury / and fro thens vnto London / and there they founde the kyng And tolde hym all frome the begynnynge vnto y^e endynge asmoche as saynt Iohn̄ had them charged & of al thynges how they hadsped by the waye. And tooke the rynge to the kynge Edwarde / & he tooke it [...] & thanked almyghty god and saynt Iohn̄ Euangelyst. And tho made hym redy euery daye fro daye to daye to departe out of thys lyf / whan god wolde for hym sende.

¶How saynt Edward dyed y^e Twelfth day.

ANd after it befell thus on Crystmasse euen / as the holy man Edwarde was at goodes seruyce Matyns for to hereof that hyghe solempne feest. He became full lyke and in the morowe endured with moche payne the masse for to here. And after masse he lette hym [Page] be ladde in to his chambre / There for to reste hym. But in hys halle amonge hys barons & his knyghtes myght he not come theym for to comforte and solace / as he was wonte for to do at y^e worthy feest. wherfore all theyr myrth and comforte amonge all that were in the halle was torned in to care and sorowe / by cause they dradde for to lese the good lorde y^e kynge. ¶And vpon Saynt Iohn̄ daye Euangelyste that came nexte / the kynge receyued hys ryghtes of hooly chirche / as yt befaylleth to euery cristen man & abode the mercy and the wyll of god. And y^e two pylgrymes he lete before hym come and yaue theym ryche yeftes and beto­ke theym to god. Also the abbot of westemestre he lette before hym come and tooke hym that rynge in the honour of god and saynt Mary / and of Saynt Iohan the euangelyst. And the abbot toke it & put it amonge other rekyles / so that it is at westmestre / & euer shall be so laye the kyng syke tyll the twelfth eue. And tho deyed the good kynge Edwarde att wehmestre / & there he lyeth. For whoos loue god hathe she­wed many a fayre myracle. ¶And this was in the yere of the. Incarnacyon of oure lorde Ihesu Cryste .M.lxv. And after he was translated and put in the shryne by the noble mar­tyr saynt Tomas of Caunterbury.

VIctor the seconde was pope after Leo And of hym lytell is wryten. ¶Hen­ry the seconde was Emperour after the fyrste Henry .xvii. yere / this man was cosyn to Conradus / & he was borne in wood / & twyes takē for to be slayne whan he was a chylde / but god defended hym euermore. whan he was made Emperour / many amonastery he made in the same place in the wood where he was borne. This mā was a victoryoꝰ mā / & he entred ī to ytaly / & there he toke Padulphus the prynce of Campany. ¶Stephanus the .ix. was pope after Victor .ix. monethes. ¶Benedictus after hym / & he toke the dygnyte of the pope Stephanus by strengthe & kepe it .ix. monethes / & thēne decessyd. ¶Henry the thyrde was Emperour after Henry the seconde / This Henry was an Inquyete man / and many times troubled that hooly man Gregorius the .vii. And fyrst he axed foryeuenesse & was assoyled· But he perceyuered not longe but brought in to an other pope ayenst hym / & sayd he was an heretyke. And Gregoriꝰ cursyd hym. And the che­sers of the Emperoure they those the duke of Baxon for to be Emperour / whom thys Hen­ry in batayll ouercame. And then̄e he came to Rome with his pope & pursewed pope Gregorius & the Cardynalles also. ¶And then̄e anone Robert y^e kyng of Naples droue hym thēs & delyuered the pope & his Cardynalles. Ne­uerthelesse yet he was a man of grete almesse. & .iii. tymes he faught in batayll / & at y^e last he deyed wrytchedly / for he was put there by his owne sone. For so as he dyde to other men / so was he done vnto. ¶Nicholaꝰ y^e seconde was pope after Benedictꝰ two yere / this Nicolaꝰ called a coūseyll ayenst y^t Archedeken of Turonoseus / y^e whiche was an heretyk / & taught ayenst y^e fayth. For he erred in y^e sacramēt / & af­ter he was cōuerted & was an holy man but he coude neuer conuerte his dyscyples. ¶Nota ¶Alexander y^e secōde was pope after hym xii. yere / this Alexander was an holy man. & he ordeyned y^t vnder payne of cursynge y^t noo man sholde here a preestꝭ masse whom men knewe had a lemman. (Vt pꝪ .xxxii. p̄cer hoc) He had stryue with one Codulo / but he expulsyd hym as an vsurper / & put hym out as a symonyer.

¶How Harolde that was good wyns sone was made kynge / and how he escape from the duke of Normandy.

AS saynt Edwarde was gone oute of this worlde / & was passed to god and worthely enteryd as to suche a grete lorde ou­ghte / the barons of the londe wolde haue had Edwarde Elygus. sone to Edwarde the out­lawe that was Edmonde Irensydes sone to be kynge / For as moche as he was moost kyn­dest kynges blood of the reame. ¶But Harolde sone thrugh the erle Godewyn / & y^e strengthe of his fader Godewyn / and thrugh other grete lordes of the reame / y^t were of his kynne & vnto hym sybbe seased all Englōde in to hys honde / & anone lette crowne hym kynge after the enterement of Saynt Edware. This Harolde that was Godewynes sone the seconde yere afore that saynt Edwarde was deed / wolde haue gone in to Flaundres / but he was dryuen thrugh tempest in to the coūtree of Pountyse / and there he was taken brought to duke wyllyam And this Harolde wende y^t tho thys duke wyllyam wolde haue be auenged vpon hym for by cause y^t the Erle Godewyn y^t was roldes fader / had lete slee Alured that was saynt [Page liii] Edwardꝭ brother / and pryncipally for by cause that Alured was quene Emmes sone / y^e was Rychardes moder duke of Normandy / that was aīenll to the duke wyllyam And ne­uertheles whan the duke wyllyam had Harolde in pryson & vnder hys power / for asmoche as this Harolde was a noble wyse knyght & a worthy of body / & that hys fader & he was ac­corded with good kynge Edwarde / & therfore wolde not mysdo hym. But all manere thynges that betwext them was spoken and ordey­ned. Harolde by hys good wyll swore vpon a boke / & vpon [...]oly sayntes that he sholde spouse & wedde duke wyllyams doughter after the deth of saynt Edwarde / & that he sholde besely doo his deuour for to kepe and saue the reame of Englonde vnto the profyte and auantage of duke wyllyam. ¶And whan Harolde hadde thus made his othe vnto the duke wyllyam he lette hym goo / and yaue hym many a ryche yeftes. And he tho wente thens / and came in to Englonde / and anone dyde in this manere whan Saynte Edwarde was deed / and as a man falsly for sworne / He lette crowne hym kynge of Englonde / and falsely brake the coue name y^t he hadde made before wyth duke wyl­lyam / wherfore he was wonder wroth wyth hym and swore / that he wolde vppon hym be auenged what some euer hym befell. ¶And anone duke wyllyam lette assemble a grete hoste and came in to Englonde to aueng [...] hym vppon Harolde / and to conquere the londe yf that he myght. ¶And in the same yere that Harolde was crowned. Haralde Herestynge kynge of Denmarke arryued in Scotlō de and thought to haue be kynge of Englonde and he came in Englonde and robbed / and destroyed all that he myght / tyll that he came to yorke / and there he slewe many men of armes a thousande and a hondred preestes. whā this tydynges came to the kynge / He assembled a grete power / and wente for to fyght with Haralde of Denmarke / and wyth hys owne hondes de hym slewe / and the Danes were dyscomfyted / and tho that were lefte a lyue wyth mo­che sorowe fledde to theyr shyppes. And thus kynge Harolde of Englonde slewe kynge Haralde of Denmarke.

¶Of kynge william bastarde & how he gouerned hym well & wysely / & of the grete war­re bytwene hym and the kynge of Fraunce.

AS willi [...]m Bastarde duke of Normā dy had conquered all the londe / vpon Crystmasse daye then nexte lete crowne hym kynge at westmestre and as a worthy kyng yaue vnto Englyshmen largely londes / & to hys knyghtes And after warde he wene hym ouer the see & came ī to Normandy / & there he dwelled a whyle. And in the seconde yere of his regne he came ayen in to Englonde / and brought with hym Maude his wyf & lette crowne her quene of Englonde oon wytsondaye. ¶And tho anone after the kynge of Scotlonde / thoe was called Malcolin began to stryue & warre with the kyng wylyam. And he ordeined hym towarde Scotlonde with his men both by lō ­de and by see / for to destroye kynge Malcolin But they were accorded / & the kynge of Scotlonde became hys man / and helde all hys lon­de of hym. And kynge wyllyam receyued of hym is homage and came ayen in to Englonde. And as kynge wyllyam hadde be kynge .xvii. yere. Maude the quene deyed / on whom kynge wyllyam hadde begote many fayr chyl­dern / that is for to saye. Robert Curthos wylllyam Rous Richarde also that deyed. Henry· Beauclerke / and Maude also that was the erles wyf of Bleynes / and other foure fayr doughters. ¶And after his wyues deth / grete debate began betwixt hym & the kynge of Fraunce Philyp but at the laste they were accorded And tho dwelled y^e kynge of Englonde in Normandy / & no man hym warned / & he no man longe tyme. ¶And the kynge of Fraunce sayde vppon a daye in scorne of kynge wyllyam had longe tyme lyen in chylde bedde / and lōge tyme had rested hym there. And this worde came to the kynge of Englonde there that he dy­de lye in Normandye at Rome. And for thys worde was tho euylle apayed / & also wonder wrathe towarde the kynge of Fraunce. And swore by god / that whā he were arysyn of his sykenesse / he wolde lyghten a thousande con­delles to the kynge of Fraūce / & anone lete as­semble a grete host of Normandy & of Englys­she men. And in the begynnynge of the Her­uest he came in to Fraunce / and brente all the townes that they came by thrugh the coūtree and robbed & dyde all y^e sorowe that he myght thrugh out all Fraunce. And at y^e last he bren­ned the cyte of Mandos / and cōmaunded his people to bere wood / & as moche as he myght brenne. And hym self halpe ther to all y^e he my­ghte with good wyll. And there was a greate hete / what of the fyre what was so grete / & of the sonne that it was wōdder hote / that it stuffed hym so y^t he became & fell in to a grete dysease & sykenesse And whan he sawe y^t he was so stronge syke / he ordeyned & assgned alle Nor­mandye to Robert Curthos his sone / & all en­glonde to wyllyam the Rous / and bequone to Henry Beaclerke al his treasour. And whan he thus had done / he receyued all the sacramē tꝭ of holy chyrche / and deyed y^e .xx. yere of his regne \ and lyeth at Cane in Normandy.

ANd after thys wyllyam bastarde reg­ned his sonne wyllyam the Rous.

¶And thys wyllyam was a wonder contra­ryous man to god and holy chyrche / and lete amēde & make the towne of Cardies / that the Paynems had destroyed. Thys kynge wyllyam destroyed holy chirche & theyr possessions in what parte he myght them fynde. And theyr fore there was so moche debate bytwene hym and the Archebyssop of Caunterbury Ancel­mus. For by cause that he repreuyd hym of hys wyckednesse / that he destroyed holy chyr­che. And for that cause the kynge bare to hym grete wrath. And so he exyled hym out of thys londe / & the Archebysshop went to the courte of Rome / & there dwelled with the pope / And this kynge made the newe forest / & caste downe & destroyed .xxvi. townes. & .lxxx. houses of Relygyon / all for to make his forest lenger and broder· And became wonder gladde & proude of his wood & of his forest. And nourysshed y^e wylde beestes y^t were within / that it was mer­uayle for to wyte / so that men called hym ke­per of wodes & of pastures. And the more lenger that he lyued / the more wycked he became both to god & to all holy chyrche & to all his mē ¶And this kynge lete make the grete halle of westmestre. So vpon a daye in the wytsontyde he helde therin his fyrste feest / and he loked hym aboute & sayd / that the halle was to lytell by the half deale. And at the laste he became so contraryous / that al thynge y^t pleased god dyspleased hym / & all thynge that god loued / he hated deedly. ¶And so it befell that he dremyd vpon a nyght a lytell or that he deyed / that he was lete blood / and bledde a grete quantyte of blood / & a streme of blood lepte on hygh to warde heuen more than a hondred fadom and the clerenesse of the daye was torned vnto nyghte and derkenesse of the fyrmamente also ¶And whan that he a woke he hadde grete drede soo that he not wyst what for to do. And tolde his dreme to men of his counseyll and sayde that he had grete drede / and supposyd that to hym was some myscaunce to come. ¶And the se­conde nyght before a monke dremyd of y^e hou­sholde / that the kynge wente in to a chyrche wyth moche people / & he was so prowde that he dyspysed all the people that were with hym & that he toke y^e ymage of the Crucefire & sha­mefully bote it with his teeth. And the Crucefixe mekely suffred all that he dyde. But yer y [...] kyng and as a wood man rente of the armes of the Crucefixe / & caste it vnder his feet / and defoylled it / and threwe it alle a brode / And [...] grete fyre came out of the Crucefixe mouthe. Of whiche dreme many a man had grete meruaylle and wonder. ¶The good mā that had dremyd this straunge dreme / tolde it to a kny­ghte that was moost pryue wyth the kynge of all men / & the knyght was called Hamondes ¶Soone the mōke and he tolde the dremes to the kyng & sayd. That it sholde betoken other thynge than good / And neuertheles the kyng laughed ther at twyes or thryes / and lytell se [...] ­te therby / & thought that he wolde go & hunte / and playe in the forest. And men counseylled hym y^e he shold not go y^e day for no maner thinge ne come in the wood / so that he abode at ho­me before meete / But oonly as he had eten no man hym myght lette / but he wolde go vnto the wood for to haue his dysporce. ¶And so it befell that one of his knyghtes that hyght walter Tyrell / wold haue shot to a harre / and [Page] hys arowe glensyd vpon a braunche / & thoru­ghe mysauenture smote the kynge to the herte And so he felle downe deed to the groūde with out ony worde spekynge / and so ended hys lyf dayes. And it was no meruaylle / for the day y^t he deyde he had lete to ferme the Archebisshop ryche of Caūterbury / & xabbayes also / & euer more dyde grete destruccyon to holy chyrche / thrugh wrongfull takynge & axenges / for no man durste withstande that he wolde haue done. And of his lewdenes he wolde neuer withdrawe / nother to amende hys lyf. And ther fo­re god wolde suffer hym no lenger to regne in his wyckednes. And he had be kyng .xiii. yere and .vi. wekes / and lyeth at westmestre.

¶Of kynge Henry Beauclerk that was william Rous brother / & of the debate bytwene hym & Robert Curthos his brother.

ANd whan wyllyam Rous was deed. Henry Beauclerk his broder was made kyng bycause wyllyam Rous had no chylde begoten on his body. And this Henry Be­auclerk was crowned kynge att London the fourth daye after that his brother was deces­syd / that is to saye / the fyfthe daye of August. ¶And anone as ancelmus that was Arche­bysshop of Caūterbury that was at the court of Rome herde telle that wyllyam Rous was deed / he came ayen in to Englonde & the kynge Beauclerk welcomed hym with moche o­nour. And the fyrst yere that kyng Henry regned & was crowned. He spowsed maude y^e was Margaretes doughter the quene of Scotlon­de. And the Archebysshop Ancelmus of Caun­terbury wedded theme And this kynge begate vpon his wyf two sones & a doughter / that is to saye. wyllyam and Richarde & Maude. And this Maude was after warde the Empresse of Almayne. ¶And in the seconde yere of hys regne / his broder Robert Curthos / that was duke of Normandy came with an huge hoste in to Englond for to chalenge the londe. But thrughe counseyle of wyse men of the londe / they were accorded in this manere. That the kynge sholde yeue his brother the duke a thou­sande pounde euery yere. And whiche of them that lyued lengest sholde be that others heyre and so bytwene them sholde be noo debate ne stryfe. ¶And thenne whan they were thus ac­corded / y^e duke wente home agayne in to Normandye· ¶And whanne the kynge had regned foure yere. There a rose a grete debate bytwene hym and the Archebysshop of Caunterbury Ancelmus. For by cause that the Archebysshoh wolde not graunte to hym for calēges of chyrches at hys wyll. And the reforde per­sonse the Archebysshoppe Ancelmus wente ouer the see vnto the courte of Rome and there he dwelled with the pope. And in the same yere the duke of Normandy came in to Englon­de to speke with hys brether. ¶And amonge all other thynges the duke of Normandye. for yaue vnto the kynge hys brother the forsayde thousande pounde by yere that sholde paye vnto the duke. ¶And with good loue the kynge and the duke departed / & there the duke went ayen in to Normundy. And whan tho two yere were agone / Thrugh the entycement of the deuyl and of symple mē / a greate debate arose bytwene the kynge and y^e duke / so that thrugh counseyll the kynge wente ouer the see in to Normandy / and whan the kynge of Englonde was come in to Normandy / all the grete lordes of Normandye torned vnto the kynge of Englonde and helde ayenst the duke theyr owne lorde / and hym forsoke / and to the kynge them helde / and all the good castelles and townes of Normandy. And soone after was the duke taken and ladde with the kynge in to Englonde. And the kynge lette put the duke in to pryson / and this was the vengeaun [...]e of god. [Page lv] ¶For whanne the duke was in the holy londe god yaue hym suche myghte and grace that he was chosen for to haue be kynge of Iheru­salem / and he forsoke it and wolde not take it vpon hym / And therfore god sente hym that shame and dyspyte for to put in hys brothers pryson / Tho seased kyng Hery all Norman­dye in to hys honde / and helde it all hys lyfe tyme. ¶And in the same yere came the bysshop Ancelmus for the courte of Rome in to Eng­londe ayen. And the kynge and he were accorded. ¶And in the nexte yere comynge after / there began a grete debare bytwene the kynge Phylyppe of Fraunce and kynge Henry of Englende / wherfore kynge Henry wente in to Normandye / and there was stronge warre bytwene them two. And tho deye [...] the kynge of Fraūce & lowys his sone was mad kyng anone after his deth. And tho went kyng Henry ayen into Englond / & maryed Maude his doughter vnto henry y^e emꝑour of Almayne.

¶Of the debate that was betwixt kynge Lowys of Fraūce & kynge Hery of Eenglonde / & how kynhe Henryes two snes were loste in the hyghe se [...].

AS kynge Henry had be kynge .xvii. ye­re / a grete debate arose betwixt kynge Lowys of Fraunce and kynge Henry of Englonde / for by cause that the kynge had sente in to Normandy to hys men / that they sholde be helpynge vnto therle of Bloys as moche as they myght in warre ayenst the kyng of Fraū ce / And that they sholde be as redy to hy [...] as they were to theyr owne lord / for by cause that therle hadde spowsed hys syster dame maude. And for this cause the kynge of Fraunce dyde moche sorowe to Normandy. wherfore y^e kynge of Englonde was wonder wroth / & in hast wen [...]e ouer the see with a grete power / & came in to Normādye for to defende that londe And the warre bytwene them lasted two yere / tyll at the laste they two faught to geder. And the kynge of Fraunce was dyscomfyted / & vnne­thes escaped awaye wyth moche payne / & the moost partye of his men were taken. And the kynge dyde with theym what hym best lyked / And some of them he lette go freely / and some he lete be put vnto the deth. But afterwarde those two kynges were accorded. And whan kynge Henry had oonly all the londe of Nor­mandy / & dyscōfyted his enmyes of Fraunce / he torned agayne in to Englonde with mochē honour. And his two sones wyllyam and Richarde wolde haue come after the fader & wente to the see with a grete company of people. But are that they myghte come to londe / the shippe came ayenst a roche and alle were drowned that were there in / saue oo man that was in y^e same shyppe that escaped. And this was vpon saynt Katheryns daye / and these were y^e names of them that were drowned. Wyllyam and Richarde the kynges sones / the Erle of Chestre Ottonell / his brotger Geffroy Rydell Walter Emurci. Godefray Archedeken / the kynges doughter / the coūtesse of Perches the kynges nece the countesse of Chestre / & many other. ¶Whan kynge Henry and other lor­des arryued in Englonde / and herde these tydynges / they made sorowe ynough / And alle theyr myrthe and Ioye was torned in to mor­nynge and sorowe.

¶How Maude the Empresse came ayen in Englonde / & how she afterwarde wed­ded to Geffroy therle of Angoy.

ANd whan that two yere were agone y^t the Erle had dwelled wyth the kynge / the erle went from the kyng / and begā to war­re vpon hym & dyd moche harme in the londe of Normandy / & toke there a stronge castell & there he dwelled all that yere. And tho came to hym tydynges y^t Henry the Emperour of Al­mayne y^t had spowsed Maude hys doughter was deed / and that she dwelled no lenger in Almayne / & y^t she wold come ayen in to Normandy to her fader And whā that she was come vnto hym / he toke her tho to hym & came ayen in to Englonde / & made the Englysshemen to do othe and feaute to the Empresse And the fyrste man that made the othe was wyllyam y^e Archebysshop of Caūterbury And that other Dauid kyng of Scotlōde / and after hym all y^e barons and erles of Englonde. ¶Also after that y^e noble man therle of Angoy y^t was a worthy knyghte / sent vnto y^e kynge of Englōde / y^t he wolde graūt hym for to haue his doughter to spowse / that is to saye Maude the Empresse. And for by cause y^t her fader wyst that he was a no­ble man / the kynge hym graunted & consented ther to. And tho tooke he his doughter & ladde hir in to Normandy / & came to the noble kny­ghte Geffroy / & there he spowsed the forsayde Maude wyth moche honour / & the Erle beg [...] te [Page] vpon her a sone / y^t was called Henry y^e Empresse sone. ¶And after whan al this was done / kynge Henry dwelled all that yere in Normandy. & after y^e lōge tyme a greuous sykenesse toke him where thorugh he deyed. And this kyng Henry regned .xxxv. yere & foure mone­thes. And after deyed as is before sayd in Normandy. And his herte was enteryd in y^e grete chirche of our lady in Rouen. & his body was brought with moche honour in to Englonde & enteryd at Redynge in the abboye / of y^e whyche abbaye he was begynner and founder.

HEnrycus the fourth was Emperour in Almayne after Harry the thyrde .xv. yere. This man put his owne fader in pryson / & there helde hym tyll he deyed. And tooke pope Paschall wyth hys Cardynalles / & presente them as it is sayd afore. For the whiche cau­se as it is supposed he lacked yssue. For he wedded the kynges doughter of Englonde Mau­de. But after warde he came to grace / and all the lawes of y^e chirche freely he resyned to Calixtus y^e pope. And besought hym to yeue hym in penaūce that he sholde neuer come ayen to his Empyre / that he myghte haue remyssyon of his trespaas. And after y^e oppynyon of many a man / he was wylfully exyled and deyed and hys wyfe bothe at Chestre in Englonde. ¶Gelasius was pope after Paschall two ye­re. And fledde frome Henry the Emperour in to Bourgoyne and there decessyd. Thys Emperour those Benedyctus a Spanyarde to be pope / the whiche stroue with Calixtus. ¶Calixtus was pope after hym two yere and fyue monethes. Thys Calixtus was the sone of the duke of Bourgoyne & was chosen in the place of Gelasius / And whan he sholde come to Rome / he toke the for sayd Benedictus / and ma­de hym to ryde afore hym shamefully. For he on a mule torned hys face to the tayle of y^e mu­le / & helde the tayle in hys honde as a brydell / tyll he came thrugh the cyte / and there he was put in pryson. And this pope made peas wyth the Emperour. ¶Honorius was pope after hym two yere / and lytell of hym is wryten. ¶Nota. ¶Hary the fourth Emperour of Almayne decessyd thys tyme and was buryed with his progenytours / after some men wyth suche an Epytaphe (Filius hic: pater hic Auus hic: proauus iacet istis) ¶But it is ly­kely to be truer that y^e Geralde sayd (in Itinerario walke) wherfore he sayth / that after he had prysoned his carnall fader / & hys sperytuell fader the pope with his Cardynalles / after he was reconsyled & wylfully he was exyled. And he lefte Maude his wyf the kynges dou­ghter of Englonde pryuely / and lyued an he­remytes lyf at Chestre .x. yere where he myght lyue as noo man knewe hym. And he called hymselfe Godyscallus / the whyche Godysson is called. So the Emperour secretely went a­waye / & Maude hys wyf the Empresse there / she went vnto her fader Henry in to Norman­dy. where anone after she was wedded vnto Geffroy Plantaginet the duke of Andegame vpon whom he begate Henry the seconde af­terwarde kynge of Englonde. Vnder whom saynt Thomas of Caunterbury regned & deyed ¶Lotharius was Emperour aftey Henry the fourth .xii. yere / And lytell of hym is wry­tem / but that he was manerely to the chyrche. And that he subdued Roger the vsurper of the kynge of Cycyle. ¶Hugo de sancto Victory was a noble man this tyme atte Parys / and a noble doctour / of the nacyon of Saxons. ¶The ordre of saynt Iohan Baptyst at Ihe­rusalem began thys tyme / by the worshypfull man Reymonde myghtely dysposed vnto the we [...]ke of mercy. ¶All this ordre make theyr waye to serue poore men.

¶How Stephen y^t was kyng Henryes systers sone / was made kynge of Englonde.

AFter thys kynge Henry that was the fyrste / was made kynge his neuewes syster sone. Stephen erle of Bolonye. For a­none [Page lvi] as he herde the tydynges of hys vncles deth / thēne he passed the see and came in to Englonde thrught counseyll & strength of many grete lordes in Englonde / ayenst the othe that they had made to Maude the Empresse / toke the reame / & he lete crowne Stephen kyng of the londe. ¶And the Archebysshop wyllyam of Caunterbury / that fyrste made the othe of feaute to Maude the Empresse / sette the crowne vpon Stephens heed and hym anoynetd. And bysshop roger of Salysbury mayntened the kynges parte in as moche as he myghte. ¶The fyrste yere y^e kynge Stephen began to regne / he assembled a grete hoste and went to warre Scotlonde / for to haue warred vppon the kynge of Scotlonde. But he came ayenst hym in peas and in good manere and to hym trusted. But he made to hym none homage / for as moche as he had made vnto thempresse Maude. ¶And in the fourth yere of his regne Maude the Empresse came in to Englonde & tho began debate bytwene kynge Stephē & Maude thempresse. This Maude went vnto the cyte of Nicholl / & the kyng her besyged longe tyme and myght not spede / so well the cyte was kept & defended. And tho y^t were within y^e cyte / meruaylously scaped a way wythout ony maner of harme. And tho toke y^e kyng the cyte / and dwelled therin tyl Candelmasse And tho came the barons that helde wyth the Empresse. That is for to saye / the erle Radulphe of Chestre the erle Robert of Glocestre. Hugh Bygot. Robert of Morley / and these brought wtth them a stronge power & faught wyth the kyng / and yaue hym a grete bataylle In y^e whiche bataylle kyng Stephen was taken / & sette in pryson in the castell of Brytowe.

¶How Maude the Empresse wente fro wynchestre to Oxenforde / and after she escaped to walynforde / and of the soro­we and dyscease that she had.

NOw as the kynge was takē & brought in to warde in y^e castel of Bristow / this Maude the Empresse was made lady of Englonde / & all men helde her for lady of the londe But those of Kent helde with kyng Stephens wyfe / & also wyllyam of Prece & his retenewe halpe them & helde warre ayenst Maude them presse. And anone after the kynge of Scotlonde came to them wyth a huge nombre of peple And tho went theyr togyder to wynchestre / there that the Empresse was / & wolde haue takē her But the Erle of Glocestre came wyth his power & fought with them. And the Empresse in the meane whyle that the batayll dured sca­ped from them & wente vnto Oxenforde and there helde her. And in that bataylle was the erle of Glocetre dyscomfyted & taken & wyth hym many other lordes. And for hys delyue­raunce / was kyng Stephen delyuered out of pryson. And whā he was delyuered out of pryson / he wente thens vnto Oxenforde & besye­ged thempresse y^t was tho at Oxenforde. And the seyge endured fro Myghelmasse vnto sa­ynt Andrews tyde. ¶And the Empresse lette clothe her tho alle in whyte lynnen clothe [...] by cause she wolde not be knowen. Fo [...] [...] same tyme there was moche sorow [...] and [...]e escaped by y^e Tamyse from them a waye that were her enmyes. And from thens [...]he w [...]nte to walyngforde & there helde her. And the kyn­ge wolde haue beseyged ther / but he had so moche to doo with the erle Radulphe of Ch [...] and with Hugh Bygot that strongely wa [...]d vpon hym in euery place [...] that he wyste whe­ther for to torne. And the erle of Glocester [...]alpe hym with his power.

¶How Gaufryde y^e erle of Angoy [...]au [...] vnto Henry the Empresse sone all Normandy

ANd after thys the kynge wente vnto wylton / and wolde haue made a castel there. But tho came to hym the erle of Gloces­tre wyth a stronge power & there almooste he had taken the kynge but yet the kyng escaped with moche payne. And wyllyam Mar [...]ell there was takē. And for whoos delyuera [...]ce they yaue vnto the erle of Glocestre y^e good castell of Shyrborn that he had taken. ¶And whan this was done / the erle Robert & all y^e kynges enmyes went vnto Faryngdon and begā there for to make a stronge castell / but the kynge came thyder with a stronge power and droue hym thens / And in that same yere the erle Ra­dulphe of Chestre was accorded with y^e kyng and came to his courte at his cōmaundement And the erle demed sauely for to come. And the kyng anon lete take hym / & put hym in to pryson. And myght neuer for no thynge come out tyll that he had yelded vp to the kynge the cas­tell of Nicholl / the whiche he had taken from the kynge with his strengthe in the .xv. yere of his regne. ¶And Gaufride the erle of Angoy [Page] yaue vp vnto Henry his sone all Normandy. And in the yere that nexte ensewed / deyed the erle Gaufryde. And Henry his sone tho anōe torned ayen to Angoy / & there was made erle wy [...]h moche honour of all hys men of the lon­de. And to hym dyde feaute & homage the moost party of the londe. And tho was thys Hen­ry the Empresse sone erle of Angoy / & also du­ke of Normandy. ¶In the same yere was made a dyuorce bytwnene the kynge of Fraunce / and the quene hys wyfe that was ryght heyre of Gascoyne. For bycause y^t it was knowen and proued / that they were sybbe and nyghe of blood. And tho spowsed her Henry the Empresse sone erle of Angoy and the duke of Normandy / and duke of Gascoyne. ¶In y^e .xviii yere of thys Stephen thys Henry came in to Englonde with a stronge power / & began for to warre vpon this kyng Setphen. & toke the castell of Malmesbury / & dyde moche harme. And the kynge Stephen had so moche warre that he wyst not whyther for to go. But at the laste they were accorded thrugh the Archebysshop Theobaldus / & thrugh other worthy lordes of Englonde / vpon this condycyon. that they sholde departe the Realme of Englonde but wene theym two / so y^t Henry the Empresse sone sholde hooly haue the half of all the londe of Englonde. And thus they were accorded & peas was cryed thrughout al Englonde. And whan y^e accorde was made bytwene tho two lordes / kynge Stephen became so sory / for bycause that he had lost half Englonde / & felle in to suche a malady / and deyed in the .xix. yere / and .viii. wekes and .v. dayes of his regne all in warre and in contake. And he [...]yeth in the abbaye of Feuersham / the whyche he lets ma­ke in the .xvi. yere of his regne.

CElestynus the seconde was pope after Innocencius .v. monethes. And lytell he dyde. ¶Lucius was after hym & lytell proffyted / for they deyed both ī a pestylence. ¶Eugenius the seconde was pope after hym .v. yere & foure monethes. Thys man fryst was the dyscyple of saynt Bernarde / & after the abbot of saynt Anastasius by Rome. And came to y^e chirche of saynt Cesary and was chosen pope by the Cardynalles / he no thynge knowynge therof / And for drede of y^e Senatours he was consecrated without thys cyte / thys man was an holy man / & suffred trybulacyon. And atte the last he decessyd / and lyeth at saynt Peters And after anone decessyd Saynt Bernarde. ¶Petrus Lombardus the bysshop of Parys brother to Graciam / compyled the foure bo­kes of the Sentence this tyme. ¶Petrus Cō mestor brother to Graciā and to Pyerrs Lom­bardus / made Hystoriam Scolasticam / and other bokes. ¶Fredericus primus after Conradus was emperour in Almayne & in Rome ·xxxiii. yere. This man after the deth of Adry­an the pope the whyche crowned hym / dyde cursydly wyth Alexander to hym grete preiu­dyce For he dyd helpe foure that stroue ayenst the appostles sete. And he faught myghtely a­yenste the kynge of Fraunce. through power of the Danys & other nacyons. But Rycharde y^e kynge of Englonde halpe for to expoulse hym. And he destroyed medyolanū to the grounde / Of the whiche cytee / the walles were hygher than the walles of yny other cytee / This man at the laste after that he had done many vexa­cyons to the pope / he was recounsyled / for he dradde leste the Lombardes wolde haue rebel­led ayenste hym / he axed for yeuenes of the po­pe. And toke the crosse vpon hym / and wente vnto the holy londe / and dyde many meruayl­lous thynges there / almoost as moche as euer dyde Karolus magnus. And there he came by a towne that men calle Armeniam and in a lytell water he was drowned / and at Tyrum he was buryed. ¶Anastasius was pope after Eugenius foure yere / and more. This man was abbot of Rufy / and thenne he was chose Cardynall / and after pope.

¶Of kynge henry the seconde that was the Empresse sone / in whose tyme saynt Thomas of Caunterbury was Chaunceller.

ANd after thys kynge Ste­phen regned Henry the Empresse sone / and was crow­ned of the Archebysshoppe Theobaldus the .xvii. daye before Crystemas. And in the same yere Thomas Be­ket of london Archebysshop of caunterbury was made the kynges Chaunceller of Englonde. ¶The seconde yere that he was crowned / he lete caste downe all the newe castels y^t were longyngt to the Crowne / the whiche kynge Ste­phen had yeue vnto dyuerse men / & them hade [Page lvii] made erles & barons / for to holde with hym & to helpe hym ayenst Henry thempresse sone. ¶And the fourth yere of his regne he put vn­der his owne lordshyp the kyng of walis. And in the same yere the kyng of Scotlond had in his owne honde / y^t is to saye / y^e cyte of Karleyll the castell of Bambrugh / and the newe castell vpon Tyne / and the erledom of Lancastre. ¶The same yere the kyng with a grete power wente in to walys / & lete caste downe woodes and made wayes & made stronge the castell of Rutlonde Basyngwark. And amonge y^e castels he made an howse of the Temple. ¶And in the same yere was Rycharde his sone bor­ne / that afterwarde was erle of Oxforde And the fourth yere of his regne / he made Gaufryde erle of Brytayne. And in that yere he chaunged his moneye. And the .vi. yere of hys regne he ladde a grete hoste to Tolouse & conquered it. And the .vii. yere of his regne deyed Theo­baldus the Archebisshop of Caunterbury / and tho almoost al the cyte of Caūterbury through myschyef was brēte. The .ix. yere of his regne Thomas beket that was his Chaūceller was chosen Archebysshop of Caunterbury· And vpon saynt Bernardes daye he was sacred. And in that yere was borne the kyngꝭ dough­ter Eelenore. ¶And in the .x. yere of his regne saynt Edwarde y^e kyng was translated wyth moche honour. ¶And the .xi. yere of hys rgne he helde his parlamēte at Northampton / and fro thens sledde saynt Thomas Archebysshop of Counterbury for the grete debate that was betwixt the kynge & hym. For yf he had be foū ­de on the morowe he had be slayne / & therfore he fledde thens wyth thre felowes on foot oonly / that no man wyste where he was \ & wente ouer the see to the pope of Rome And this was the pryncypall cause. For asmoche as the kynge wolde haue put clerkes to deth that were ataynt of felonye / without ony preuelegye of holy chyrche. ¶And y^e .xii. yere of his regne was Iohan his sone borne. ¶And the .xiii. yere of his regne deyed Maude y^e Empresse that was moder. ¶The .xiiii. yere of his regne the duke of Saxon spowsed Maude his doughter. And he begate vpon her thre sones / that were called Henry. Othus. and. Wyllyam ¶And in the xv. yere of hys regne deyed the good Erle Ro­bert of Glocestre / that founded the abbaye of Nonne of Eton. And in the same yere Marke kynge of Ierusalem conquered Babylon ¶And the .xvi. yere of his regne / he lete crowne his sone Henry at westmestre· & hym crowned Roger Archebysshop of yorke / ī harmyng of Thōas archebysshop of Caūterbury. wherfore this same Roger was accusyd of y^e pope.

¶How kynge Henry that was sone of kynge. Henry the Empresse sone / and of the deba­te that was bytwene hym and his fader why­le that he was in Normandye.

AFter the cornacyon of kynge Henry the sone of kyng Henry the Empresse lone. That same Henry thempresse sone wente ouer to Normandy & there he lete mary Elenore his doughter of the Dolphyn y^t was kynge of Almayne. And in the .vii. yepe that the Archebysshop saynt▪ Thomas had bē our lawed / the kyng of Fraūce made the kyng & saynt Thomas accorded. And then̄e cam Thomas the Archebysshop to Chaunterbury ayē to his owne chyrche. & this accorde was made in the begynnyng of Aduente & afterwarde he was slayne & martred the fyfth daye of Crystmasse thenne folowynge. For kynge Henry though [...] vpon saynt Thomas the Archebysshop vpon Crystmasse daye as he sate at hys mete & the­se wordes sayd That yf he had ony good knyghtes wyth hym / he had be many a day passe [...] auenged vpon the Archebysshop Thomas· ¶And anone syr Wyllyam Bretō syr Hugh Moruile / syr wyllyam Tracy & syr Reygn [...]l [...] de Fitz vrse / beers sone in Englysshe pryuely wente vnto the see / & came in to Englonde vn­to the chyrche of Caūterbury & there they hy [...] martred at saynt Benets awter in the mode [...] chyrche. And that was in y^e yere of the Incar­nacyon of Ihesu Cryst .M.C.lxxii. yere. And anone after Henry the newe kyng began for to make warre vpon Henry his fader & vpon his brothern wyllyam & Othus. ¶And so v­pon a daye the kyng of Fraunce & al y^e kynges sones / and the kynge of Scotlonde and all the gretest lordes of Englonde were rysen ayenst kyng Henry the fader. And at the last as god wolde / he conquered all his enmyes. And the kynge of Fraunce & he were accorded· ¶And tho sente kyng Henry specyally vnto the kyn­ge of Fraunce / & prayed hym hertely for his loue that he wolde sende to hym the names bi letters of them y^t where y^e begynners of y^e warre ayenst hym. And y^e kyng of fraunce sent ayen to [Page] hym by letters y^e names of thē that began that warre ayenst hym. The fyrste was Iohn̄ hys sone / & Rycharde his brother / & Hēry y^e newe kyng his sone. Tho was Henry y^e king wōder wroth / & cursyd y^e tyme y^e euer he hym begate / & whyle y^e warre dured. Hēry his sone y^e newe kyng deyed sore repētyng his mysdedes & mo­ost sorow made of ony mā for bycause of saint Thomas deth of Caūterbury. and prayed hys fader wyth moche sorowe of herte mercy for his trespaas. And his fader forgaaf hym / and had of hym grete pyte. And after he deyed the .xxxvi. yere of his regne / & lyeth at Redynge.

¶How the crysten men loste alle the holy londe in the forsayd kinges tyme by a fals Crysten man that became a sarrasyne.

ANd whyle thys kynge regned / the grete bataylle was in the holy londe by­twene the crysten men and the sarrasyns but Crysten men were there slayne thrugh greate treason of y^e erle Tyrpe / that wolde haue had to wyf the quene of Iherusalem / that somty­me was Baldewynes wyfe / but she forsoke hym and toke to her lorde a knyght a worthy man / that was called syr Gnyperches / wherfore the erle Tyrpe was wroth / & wente ano­ne ryght to the Soudan that was Soudan of Babylon / & became his man and forsoke hys crystendome / and alle crysten lawe. And the cerysten men wyst not of his dedes / but wende for to haue had grete helpe of hym as they were wonte to haue before. ¶And whan they came to the bataylle / thys fals Cresten man tor­ned vnto the Sarrasyns / & forsoke his owne nacyon. And soo were the crysten men there slayne with the Sarrasyns. ¶And thus we­re the crysten men slayne & put to horryble de­the / and the cyte of Ierusalem destroyed / and the holy crosse borne a waye. ¶The kynge of Fraunce & all the grete lordes of the londe lete them be crossyd for to go in to the holy londe· And amonges them wente Rycharde kynge Henryes sone / fyrst after the kynge of Fraunce / that tooke the crosse of the. Archebysshop of Toures / But he toke not the vyage at that tyme for cause that he was lette by other ma­ner wayes / & nedes to be done. ¶And whan kynge Henry his fader had regned .xxxvi. ye­re and .v. monethes and four dayes / he deyed and lyeth at Fonntenerad.

¶Of kynge Rycharde y^t conquered ayen al the holy londe / y^t the crysten men had loste.

ANd after this kyng Henry regned Rycharde his sone a stowte man & a stronge [Page lviii] & a worthy / & also bolde. And he was crowned at westmestre of the Archebysshop Baldewyn the thyrde daye of Septembre. ¶And in the seconde yere of his regne / kyng Rycharde hymself and Baldewyn the Archebysshop of Caunterbury / and Hubert bysshop of Salysbury / and Radulf erle of Glocetre / and other many lordes of Englonde / went in to the holy londe / And in that vyage deyed the Archebys­shop of Caunterbury. And kynge Rycharde wente before in to the hooly londe & rested not tyll that he came forthe in his waye vnto Cy­pres / and tooke it with grete force. And after that kynge Rycharde went forth to warde the hooly londe / & gate there as moche as the crys­ten men had there before lost. And conquered the londe ayen thoruhh grete myght / saufe only the holy crosse. And whan kynge Rycharde came to the cyte of Acres for to gete the cytee / ther arose a gret debate bytwene hym & y^e kyn­ge of Fraunce / so y^t the kyng of Fraūce went ayen in to Fraunce & was wroth towarde kyng Rychard but yet for all y^t / are kyng Rycharde wente ayen / he toke the cyte of Acres. & whan he had take it / he dwelled in the cyte a whyle. But to hym came tydynges / that y^e erle Iohn̄ of Oxenforde hys brother wolde haue seased all Englonde in to his honde / and Norman­dy also / and wolde lette crowne hym kynge of all the londe. ¶And whan kynge Rycharde herde telle of these tydynge / he wente ayen to­warde Englond with all the spede that he my­ghte. But y^e duke of Ostryche mette with hym and toke hym and brought hym vnto the Emperour of Almayne / And the Emperour hym brought vnto pryson. And afterward he was delyuered for an Huge raunson / that is for to saye / an hundred thousande pounde. And for the whiche raunson to be paied / eche other chalyce of Englonde was molten and made in to moneye. And all the monkes of the ordre of Cysteaux yaue alle theyr bookes thrugh oute all Englonde / for to doo them to selle / and the ra­unson for to paye.

¶How kynge Rycharde came agayne from the holy londe / & auenged hym of his enmyes.

SO as this kyng Rycharde was in pry­son / the kynge of Fraunce warred vpon hym strongly in Normādye / and Iohn̄ his broder warred vpon hym in Englonde. But the bysshops and the barōs of Englonde with stode hym with all theyr power that they my­ghte gete / & tooke the castell of wyndesore and other castelles. And the forsayde Iohn̄ sawe y^t he had no myght ne power ayenst the barons of Englōde for to fyght But anone went hym ouer the see vnto the kynge of Fraūce. ¶And whan Rycharde came out of pryson / & was delyuered and came in to Englonde / anone af­ter Candelmasse in grete haste / he went vnto Notyngham / & the castell of Notyngham to hym was yolden / and tho dyscomfyted he hys brother Iohan and tho that with hym helde. And after he wente vnto the cyte of wynche­stre / & there he lete hym crowne kynge of Englonde. And after he wente vnto Normandy for to warre vpon the kyng of Fraūce And the kynge of Fraunce came with .vi. hondred knyghtis to warde Gisors. And kynge Rycharde mette hym / and tho wolde haue yeuen hym bataylle. But the kynge of Fraunce fledde tho / and hondred knyghtes of his were taken and two hondred stedes that were trapped wyth yren. ¶And anone after wente kyng Rycharde for to besyege the castell Gaillarde [...] And as he rode vpon a daye by the castell for to take a uysemente of the castell an arbarlaster somte hym with a quarell that was enuynymmed. And the kyng drewe out the shafte of the qua­rell / but the quarels heed abode styll in hys he­ed. And it began for to rancle / that he ne my­ghte not helpe hymselfe / ne meue his armes. And tho he wyst that he had dethes wonde v­pon hym / that he myght not be hoole for noo manere of thynge. ¶He cōmaūded anōe sharpely all his men for to assoyle the castell. Soo that the castell was taken or he deyed. And soo manly his men dyde y^t al y^e people that were in the castell were taken / & the kynge dyde wyth them what he wolde. And commaūded his mē that they sholde brynge before▪ hym the man y^t hym so hurt & so wounded. And whan he came before y^e kyng / the kyng axed hym what was his name. And he sayd my name is Bertham Gurdon wherfore sayd the kynge haste thou me slayne / syth I dyd the neuer none harme. Syr sayd he. Though ye dyde me neuer none harme / ye your self with your owne honde sle­we my fader & my broder. And therfor I haue quyte now your trauaylle. Tho sayd kyng Rycharde. He y^t dyed vpon y^e crosse / to bryng mā nes [Page] soule fro payne of helle / foryeue y^t my deth and I also foryeue it the. Tho cōmaunded he that no man sholde hym mysdo. But for all y^e kyngꝭ defendynge some of y^e kyngꝭ men hym folowed and pryuely hym slewe. And the .vi. daye after the kyng dyde shryue hym / & sore repentaunce hauynge of hys mysdedes / & was houseled and enoynted. ¶Rud this kyng reg­ned but .ix. yere and .xxx. wekes / and deyed & lyeth besyde his fader at Fontenerad.

HEnyicus y^e fyfth was Emperour .viii. yere This Henricus was sone to frede­ryk / & he wedded Constaunce the kyngꝭ dou­ghter / of Cecyle / & though the occasyon of her he subdued alle the kyngdome of Apulye / & he droue all the people out y^e enhabyte that londe. ¶Celestinus the thyrde was pope after Cle­mens almost thre yere. This man was crow­ned vpon Eester daye / & the daye folowynge he crowned Henry the emperour. And he ma­de a palays at saynt Peters / & decessyd. ¶Innocencius y^e thyrde was pope after hym .viii. yere & .v. monethes. this man was wel lettred & he made a boke of the wretchydneste of mā ­nes cōdicōn. & he made speculū misse & he mad many cōstytucyons. This man dāpned y^e boke of Iohn̄ Ioachim / y^t whiche he made ayēst mayster Peyrs Lombarde / the maker of the Sentence. This tyme decessyd y^e Emperour Henry. And the prynces of almayne discorded for some chose Otto / & some chose Phylyppe brocher to Henry. Thenne Phylyppe was falsely slayne / & Gtto was crowned of Innocencius in Fraūce / y^t whiche anone afught with the Romayns / for they yaue hym no dewe ho­nour. And for that cause / ayenst y^e popes wyll he toke the kyngdom of Apulye frome Frede­ryk / wherfore the pope cursyd hym. Thenne after the fourth yere of his regne / the prynces of Almayne made Frederyk Emperour / and victoryously he subdued Otto. ¶wyllyam of Parys this tyme began the ordre of the freres Austyn / the whiche ben called (fratres mendicantes) Franciscus an ytalyon a man of gre­te perfeccyon & an ensample to many a man / dyde many a myracle this tyme. And he ordeyned the frere Minors. ¶And the .vi. yere of pope Innocencius the thyrde / the ordre of the frere prechers beganne vnder Domynyke / but it myght not be confermed tylle the fyrste yere Honorius.

¶Of kynge Iohn̄ / that in the fyrste yere of gis regne loste all Normandye.

AS kyng Rycharde was deed / by cause that he had none heyre / nother sone / ne doughter / then̄e his brother Iohn̄ was made kynge / and crowned at westmestre of Hu­bert that tho was Archebysshop of Caunterbury. And whan he began for to regne / he be­came so meruaylous a man / and wente ouer in to Normandye / and warred vpō the kynge of Fraunce. And soo longe they warred togy­der / tyll at the laste kynge Iohan loste all Nor­mandy & Angoy / wherfore he was sore anoy­ed / & it was no meruaylle. ¶Tho lete he assē ble before hym at London Archebysshops / bysshops / abbots / & pryours / Erles & Barons & helde there a grete parlyament & axed there of the Clergye / the tenthe of euery chyrche of Englonde / for to conquere and gete ayen Normā dy & Angoy y^t had lost. They wolde not graunt that thynge / wherfore he was wonder wroth. ¶And in that same tyme deyed Hubert. The pryour & y^e couent of Caūterbury chose ayenst the kynges wyll to be Archebysshop Stephen of Langton a good clerke / that dwelled at the courte of Rome / & sent to the pope theyr clery­on / & the pope confermed it / and sacred him at Viterbi· ¶Whan the kynge wyst these tydyn­ges / he was wonder wroth / & droue y^e pryour and the couente fro Counterbury / and exyled out of Englonde / & commaūded that no letter that come fro Rome / ne commaūdement / sholde be receyued ne pleryd in Englonde. Whan these tydynges came to the pope / he sente kyn­ge Iohan his letter / & prayed hym with good wyll and good hert / that he wolde receyue Stephen y^e Archebysshop of Caunterbury to hys chyrche / & suffre y^e pryour and hys monkes to come ayen to theyr owne dwellynge. But the kynge wolde not graunte it for no thynge.

¶How kynge Iohn̄ wolde noo thynge do for the popes commaundement. wherfore all Englonde was enterdyted and suspended.

ANd at the last the pope sent by his auc­toryte / and enioyned to the bysshops of Englonde / that yf the kyng wolde not receyue the pryour of Caunterbury & his monkes / that they shold do general enterditinge thrugh out all Englonde. And graunted full power to foure bysshops to pronounce the enterdytyn­ge / yf he it warned· The fyrst was bysshoppe [Page lix] wyllyam of London / & that other bysshop Eustace of Ely / & the thyrde was bysshop Walter of wynchestre / & the fourth was bysshop Gy­les of Hertforde. ¶And these foure bysshops prayed the kynge / knelynge on theyr knees / & sore werynge / that he wolde do y^e popes com­maundement. And shewed hym y^e popes Bulles of the entertydynge / but for no prayer that they myght praye he wolde not consente ther­to. And whan y^e bysshops sawe this / they wen­te fro the kyng. And in the morne after the Annunciacion of our lady / they pronounced y^e generall enterdytynge thrughout all Englonde so that the chyrche doores were shytte with ke­ys & with other fastynges & with walles. And whan the enterdytynge was pronoūced / thenne the kynge began for to wexe all out of mesure / & anone toke in to his honde al y^e possessiōs of y^e foure bysshops / & of all the clergye thrugh out of all Englond / the lōde he toke / and ordeyned men for to kepe it / that the clerkꝭ myghte not haue theyr lyuynge. wherfore y^e bysshops cursyd all them / that put / or shold medle with holy chyrche goodes / ayenst the wyll of theym that ought theym. ¶And whan the kyng wolde not of hys malyce cesse for no maner thyn­ge. These foure bysshops afore sayd wente o­uer the see / and came to the bysshop of Caun­terbury / & tolde hym all thynge. And y^e Arche­bysshop to them sayd / that they shold go ayen to Caunterbury / and he sholde come thyder to theym / or elles he wolde sende vnto theym certayne persones in hys stede / that sholde do as moche as of he hymself were there. And whan the bysshops herde thys they torned agayne in to Englonde / and came vnto Caunterbury. The tydynges came to the kynge / that the bys­shops were come againe to Caunterbury / and hymself myght not come thyder that tyme he sente thyder bysshops Erles / & abbotes / for to create with them / that the kynge sholde recey­ue tharchebysshop Stephen / & the pryour and all the monkes of Caunterbury / that he shold neuer after that tyme no thynge take of hooly chyrche ayenst the wyll of them that oweth y^e goodes. And that the kynge sholde make full amendes to them / of whom he had ony goodes taken. And that hooly chyrche sholde haue alle fraunchyse / as ferforth as they hadde in saynt Edwardꝭ tyme the holy Confessour.

¶How Stphen of Langton came ayen▪ in to Englonde thrugh the popes cōmaū dement / and how he wente ayen.

SO whan the fourme of accordemente thus was ordeyned. It was in a payer of endentures / & theyr seales to that one par [...]e and they y^t came in the kynges name put theyr seales to that other parte of y^e endentures. And four bysshops aboue sayd toke that one parte of the endentures to them. And that other parte of the endentures \ they bare with theym to shewe to the kynge. ¶Whan the kynge sawe the fourme and vnderstode / he helde hym full well apayed of all maner thynges as they had ordened / sauynge as touchynge / restytucyon of the goodes for to make ayen. To that thynge wolde not accorde / & so he sente worde ayen to the foure bysshops / that they sholde do out and put awaye that one poynt of resty [...]ucyon. But they answered / that they wolde not doo one worde out. ¶Tho sente the kynge to the Archebysshop by the four bysshops y^t he sholde come to Caunterbury for to speke wyth hym there / and sente vnto hym saufcondyte vnder pledges. that is to saye / his Iustyces Gylbert Peyteum. Wyllyam de la Brener [...] and Iohan fitz Hugh / that in theyr conduyte / sauely he sholde come & go ayen at his owne wyll And thus in this maner tharchebysshop Stephen came to Caunterbury. whan the Archebys­shop was come / the kyng came to Chill [...] For he wolde no nyghe Caynterbury at that tyme. But he sente by his Tresorer bysshop of wyn­cester y^t he sholde do out of the endentures the clause of restytucyon / for to make of y^e goodes ¶And tharchebysshop made hys othe that he wolde neuer doo out oo worde therof ne yet [...] chaunge of y^t the bysshops had spoken & ordey­ned. And tho the Archebyssop yede ayen to Rome without ony more doyng. ¶Kynge Iohan was wrother thā euer he was before and lete make a comyn crye thrugh out all Englonde / that all tho y^t had holy chyrche rentes / and wente ouer the see / y^t they sholde come ayen in to Englonde at a certayne daye / or elles they shold lese theyr rentes for euer more. And y^t he commaunded to euery Shyref thrugh out all Englonde / that they shold enquyre yf ony bys­shop abbot or pryour / or ony other Prelate of holy chyrche / fro y^e daye afterwarde / receyue ony commaundement that cometh fro the po­pe. That they sholde take the body / & bryng it [Page] before hym / and that they sholde take in to the kynges hondes all theyr londes of holy chyr­che / that were yeue to ony man / by the Archebychop or by the pryour of Caūterbury / from the tyme of eleccion of the Archebysshop. And commaunded that alle the woodes that were the Archebysshops sholde be caste downe vn­to the grounde / and all solde.

¶How kynge Iohn̄ destroyed the ordre of Cesteaux.

ANd in the same yere / the Irysshe men began to warre vpon kynge Iohn / & the kynge ordeyned hym for to go in to Irlonde / & lete arere an huge taxe thrughout al Englonde / that is for to saye .xxx. thousande mar­ke. And thus he sent thrugh out all Englonde vnto mōkes of the ordre of Cisteaux that they shold helpe hym of ·vi. thousande marke of syluer. ¶And they answered and sayd / that they durst no thynge do without theyr chyef abbot yf Cisteaux. wherfore kynge Iohan whan he came ayen from Irlonde / dyde them so moche sorowe & care / that they wyst not wheder to a byde / for he tooke so moche raunson of euery hous / & the somme amoūted to .ix. thousande & .iiii. hondred marke / so that they were clene lost & destroyed / & voyded cheyr houses & theyr londes thrughout all Englonde. And the ab­bot of wauersaye draded so moche hys mena­ce / that he forsoke all the abbaye & went thens & pryuely ordeyned hym ouer the see to y^e hous of Cisteaux. whan the tydynges came to the pope / that the kynge hath done so moche malyce / then he was to warde the kynge full wroth And sente to Legates vnto the kyng / that one was called Pandulf / & y^e other Duraunt / that they sholde warne the kynge in the popes na­me / that he sholde cesse of his persecucion y^t he dyde vnto holy chirche / & amende the wronge & the trespasse / y^t he had done to the Archebys­shop of Caunterbury / & to the pryour & vnto the monkes of Caunterbury / & to all the cler­gye of Englonde. And that he sholde rest ore al the goodes ayen y^t he had taken of them ayenst theyr wyll & elles they sholde curse hym by name / And to do this thynge / and to conferme the pope toke them his letters in bulles patentes. ¶These two Legates came in to englon­de / & came to the kynge to Northamton / the­re y^t he helde his parlyamente / & full curteysly they hym salewed & sayd. Syr we come fro y^e pope of Rome / the peas of the holy chyrche & the londe to amende. And we admonest you fyrst in the popes half / that ye make full resty­tucyon of the goodes y^t ye haue rauysshed & ta­ken of holy chyrche & of the londe. And that y [...] receyue Stephen Archebysshop of Caunterbury in to his dygnytee / & the pryour of Caunterbury / & his mōkes. And that ye yelde ayen vnto the Archebysshop alle his londes & rentes / without ony withholdynge. ¶And syr yet more ouer / y^t ye shall make restytucyon / vnto all holy chyrche / wherof they shall holde them wel apayed. Tho answered the kynge as touchyn­ge the pryour & his monkes of Caunterbury. All that ye haue sayde I wyll do gladly / and all thynge y^t ye wyll ordeyne. But as touchynge the Archebysshop. I shall tell you in my herte as it lyeth. That the Archebysshop leue his archebysshoppryche / & that y^e pope then̄e for hym wolde praye / & then̄e vpon auenture / me sholde lyke some other bysshopryche to yeue hym in Englond And vppon this condicyon I wyl hym accepte & receyue And neuertheles as Archebysshop in Englonde yf he abyde / he shall neuer haue so goodꝭ saufconduyte / but that he shall be take. ¶Tho sayde Pandulf vnto the kynge / Syre holy chyrche was wonte neuer to dyscharge an Archebysshop wythout cause resonable. But euer it hath be wonte to chastyse prynces / y^t to god & holy chyrche were In obedyence. ¶What how now sayde the kyng menace ye me. Naye sayde Pandulf / But ye now openly haue tolde / as it standeth in your herte. And to you we wyll tell what is the po­pes wyll. And thus it standeth / y^t he hathe you hooly enterdyted & accursyd / for the wronges that ye haue done to holy chyrche & to the cler­gye. And for as moche as ye dwelle / & beth in wyll to abyde in malyce & in wretchednesse / & wyll not come out therof / ne to amēde ye shall vnderstande / y^t this tyme after warde the sen­tence is vpon you yeuen and holdeth stede and strength / and vpon all tho that with you hath comuned before this tyme / whether they ben erles / barons / or knyghtꝭ / or ony other what so euer y^t they be we them assoylle / saufly vnto this day· & fro this tyme after warde of what condycyon someuer y^t they ben we them accurse / y^t with you comyne ony worde / & do wene sē tence vpon them openly and specially And we assoyle clene / erles / barrns / knyghtes / and all [Page lx] other mē of theyr homages / seruyces and feautres / that they sholde vnto you do / And this tydynge to conferme / we yeue playne power / to the bysshop of wynchestre / and the bysshop of Norwhiche. And the same power we yeue in to Scotlōde to the bisshop of Rochestre and of Salysbury. And in walys we yeue the same power to the bysshop of saynt Dauyd and of Landaf & of saynt Asse. And more ouer we sente thrugh out all Crystendom / that all the bysshops beyonde the see / that they do accurse all tho that helpe you / or ony counseyl yeueth you in ony maner nede that ye haue to doo in ony parte of the worlde. And we assoyle them also all / by auctoryte of y^e pope / & commaūde them also with you for to fyght / as with hym that is enmye to all holy chyrche. ¶Tho answered y^e kynge. what may ye do more to me ¶Tho answered Pandulf. we saye to you in the worde of god / that ye ne no heyr that ye haue / neuer after this daye may be crowned. Tho sayd y^e kyne. By hym that is almyghty god / & I had wyst this are that ye came in to my londe / that ye had brought me suche tydynges. I shold haue made you redy all one yere. ¶Tho answe­red Pandulf / Full well wende we at our fyrst comynge / that ye wolde haue be obedyent to god & holy chyrche / & haue fulfylled the popes commaūdement / & now we haue shewed vnto you / & pronounced the popes wyll / as we we­re charged therwith / And as now ye haue say­de / that yf ye had wyst the cause of our comyn­ge / that ye wolde haue do vs to ryde all an hole yere. And as well ye myght haue sayd / that ye wolde haue taken an hoole yere of respyte / by the popes leue. ¶But for to suffre what deth ye coude ordeyne / we shall not spare for to tell you hooly all the popes message and his wyll / that we were charged with.

¶How Pandulf delyuered a clerke that had falsyd & counterfetyd the kyngꝭ mo­neye before the kynge hymself.

ANd anone tho commaunded the kyn­ge the Syrefs & Baylyfs of Northampton / that were in the kynges presence / y^t they sholde brynge forth all y^e prysoners / that they myght be done to deth before Pandulf / for by cause the kynge wened that they wolde haue gaynsayd theyr dedes / for cause of the deth all thynge that they hadde spoken afore ¶Whan the prysoners were come before the kynge the kynge commaunded some to be hanged / and some to be drawen and some to drawe out theyr eyen out of theyr heed. And amonge alle o­ther / there was a clerke that had falsyd y^e kynges moneye. And the kynge cōmaunded that he shoyde be hanged and drawed· And whan Pandulf herde this commaundemente of the kynge / he sterte hym vp ryght quyckly / & ano­ne axed a boke and a candell / and wolde haue cursyd the kynge / & all theym that wolde sette vpon y^e clerke ony honde. And Pandulf hym self wente for to seke a crosse. And the kynge folowed hym / & delyuered hym the clerke by the hōde that he sholde doo with hym what he wolde. And thus was the clerke delyuered & went thens. ¶And Pandulf and Duraunt his felowe went fro the kyng / & came agayne to the pope of Rome. And tolde hym that kynge Iohan wolde not amended be. But euer abode so acrcusyd ¶And neuertheles the pope graū ted that yere thorughout alle Englonde that preestes myght synge masse in couenable chyrches / and consecrate our lordes body [...] & gyue it to syke men whiche were lykely to passe out of this worlde. And also that men myght crys­ten chyldern ouer all the londe. ¶And whan the pope wyst and sawe that the kynge wolde not be vnder the rule of hooly chyrche for noo maner thynge. The pope then̄e sent to the kynge of Fraūce in remysseon of his synnes / that he sholde take with hym alle the power that he myght / & go in to Englond for to destroye the kynge Iohan ¶Whan these tydyges came to kynge Iohan / thenne was he sore anoyed & sore dradde lest he sholde lese his reame & hym self be done to the deth. ¶Thenne sente he to the pope messengers & sayd. He wolde be Iustifyed / & come to amendemente in all thynges / and wolde make satysfaccyon to all maner of men after the popes ordynaunce. ¶Then̄e sente the pope ayen in to Englonde Pandulf and other messenger / and came to Caunter­bury to the kynge & there abode· And the .viii. daye of May / the kynge made anothe [...] for to stande to the popes ordynaunce / before Pan­dulf y^e Legate in all maner of thynges in whyche he was accursyd. And that he sholde make full restytucyon to all mē of holy chyrche & of relygyon / and of the goodes that he had taken of them ayenst theyr wyll And all the grete lordes of Englonde swore vpon the boke and by [Page] theyr holydom / that yf y^e kynge wolde not holde his othe / they sayd y^e they wolde by strength make hym holde it. ¶Thenne put the kymge hym to the courte of Rome / and thenne gaaf he vp the reame of Englonde and of Irlonde for hym and for his heyers for euer more that sholde come after hym / soo that kynge Iohan and his heyers sholde take the two reames of the popes hondes And sholde euery yere paye ferme vnto the courte of Rome a thousande marke of syluer. And tho toke y^e kyng y^e crowne of hys heed & sete it vpon his knees And these wordes sayd he in herynge of all y^e grete lordes of Englonde. Here Iresygne vp the crowne & the reame of Englonde in to the pope Innocencius hondes the thyrde / & put me hooly in his mercy and in his ordynaunce. ¶Tho receyued Pandulf the crowne of kynge Iohn̄ and kept it [...]yue dayes as fore seasynge / takynge of two realmes / of Englonde & of Irlonde. And cōfermed all maner thyngꝭ by his Char­tre that foloweth afer.

¶Of the letetr oblygatorye y^e kynge Iohn̄ made to the courte of Rome / wherfore the Peters pens ben gadred thrughout al Englonde.

TO all crysten people throghout all the worlde dwellynge. Iohan by the grace of god kynge of Englonde gretynge to your vnyuersyte. And be it knowen that for as moche as we haue greued and offended god and our moder holy chyrche of Rome. And for as­moche as we haue nede vnto the mercy of our lorde Ihesu cryst. And also we may no thynge so worthy of [...]re / as competent satysfaccyon to make to god and to holy chirch / but yf that yt were owr owne body / as wyth our reames of Englonde and of Irlonde. Then̄e by the gra­ce of god we desyre to meke vs / for the loue of hym that meked hym to the dethe of the crosse Thorugh coūseyll of these noble erles and ba­rons / we offre all freely / graunt to god and to the appostle saynt Peter and saynt poule / and to our moder chirche of Rome / and to our ho­ly fader pope Innocencius the thyrde / and to all the pooes that cometh after hym all the re­ame and patronages of chirches of Englonde and of Irlonde / with theyr appertenaunces / for remyssyon of oure synnes / and for helpe & helthe of our kynne soules / and of all crysten soul is So that from this daye after warde we wyll receyue / & holde of our moder chyrche of Rome / as fee ferme / doynge feaute to our holy fader pope Innocencius the thyrde / and so to all the popes that cometh after hym / in the same manere aboue sayd. And in presence of the wyse man Pandulf y^e popes Subdeaken / we make lyeges homage / as it were in the po­pes presence / and before gym were. And shall do all manere thyngꝭ aboue sayd / And therto we bynde vs / and all that cometh after vs / & our heyres for euer more / without ony agayn sayenge to the pope / and eke the warde of chyrche vacauntz. And in token for this thyng for euer to laste / we wyll conferme and ordeyne / that our specyall rentes of the forsayd r [...]ame / sauynge saynt Peters pens in al thynge to the moder chyrche of Rome payēge bi yere a thousande marke of syluer and two termes of y^e ye­re for all manere customes that we sholde doo for the forsayd reames / that is to say to Myg­helmas / and atte Eester. That is to saye .vii. hondred marke for Englonde / & thre hondred marke for Irlond Sauynge to vs and to our heyres our Iustyces / and other fraunchyse / & other ryaltees / that perteyne vnto the crowne And these thynges & before ben sayd we wyll / that it be ferme & stable without ende. And to that oblygacyon / we & our successours & oure heyres in this manere be bounde / that yf we / or ony of oyr heyres / thorugh ony presumpcyon falle / in ony poynt ayenst ony of these thyn­ges aboue sayde / and he be warned / and wyll not ryght amende / he shall thenne lese the for­sayd reame for euermore. And that is char­tre of oblygacyon and our warraunt for euer more / be ferme and stable without ony gayn­sayenge. we shall fronte this daye afterwarde be true vnto god and to the moder of holy chyrche of Rome \ and to the pope Innocencius the thyrde / and to all that cometh after hym· And the realme of Englonde and of Irlonde / we shall maynten truely in alle manere poyntes ayenst alle manere men by our power thrugh goodes helpe.

¶How the clerkes that were outlawed ca­me agayne & how kyng Iohan was assoylled.

SO whan thys chartre was made and ensealed / the kynge receyued agayne his crowne of Pandulfus honde And sete anone vnto the Archebysshop Stephen / and to all his other clerkes and lewede men / that he had exyled out of thys londe / that they sholde come [Page lxi] ayen in to Englonde / and haue agayne theyr londes and allo theyr rentes. And that he wolde make restytucyon of the goodes that he had taken of theyrs ayenst theyr wyll. ¶The kynge hymself tho and Pandulf and erles and ba­rons went unto wynchestre ayenst the Archebysshop Stephen. ¶And whan he was come the kynge wente ayenst hym and fell adowne to his feet / and thus to hym sayde. Fayre syre ye be welcome. And I crye you mercy by cau­se that I haue trespassed ayenst you. ¶The Archebysshop toke hym vp tho in hys armes / and kyssyd hym curteysly oftentymes / and af­ter ledde hym to y^e doore of saynt Swythunes chyrche by the honde / and assoylled hym of the sentence / and hym reconsyled to god & to holy thyrche. And that was on saynt Margaretes daye. And the Archepysshop anone wente for to synge masse. And the kyng offred at the mas­se a marke of golde. ¶And whan the masse was done / all they wente for to receyue theyr londes / without ony manere gaynsayenge. ¶And that daye they made all myrth & Ioye ynough. But yet was not the enterdytynge releaced / by cause the pope had sette that the en­terdytynge sholde not be done / tyll the kynge had made full restytucyon of the goodes that he had taken of the holy chyrche. And that hym self sholde do homage to the pope by a certayn Legate / that he sholde sende in to Englonde. ¶And thenne tooke Pandulf his leue of the kynge and the Archebysshop / and went agayne vnto Rome. ¶And the Archebysshop anone lete come before hym prelates of holy chyr­che at Redynge / for to treate & counseyll how moche / and what they sholde axe of the kyng / for to make restytucyon of the goodes that he had taken of theym. And they ordeyned & sayd that the kyng sholde yeue to the Archebysshop thre thousande marke for the wronge that the kynge had done vnto hym. And also by procy­ons to other clerkes .xv. thousande marke. ¶And the same tyme Nycolaus bysshop of Tuscam Cardynall Penytenciarius of Ro­me came in to Englonde thrugh the popes conmaundement / the fyfth kalendas of Octobre and came to London / the fyfth Nonas of Octobre / for by cause that kynge Iohan and alle the kynges that came after hym / sholde euer more holde the reame of Englonde and of Ir­londe / of god and of the pope / payenge to the pope by yere as it is aboue sayd.

¶How the enterdytynge was vndone in Englōde / and of the debate that was bytwene kynge Iohan and the barons of the reame.

AS kynge Iohan had done his homage to the Legate that shewed hym the po­pes letter / that he sholde paye to Iulyan & yel­ne ayen that was kynge Rychardes wyfe the thyrde parte of the londe of Englonde and of Irlonde that he had withholde syth that kyng Rycharde deyed. ¶Whan kynge Iohn̄ herde this / he was wonder wroth. For vtterly y^t enterdytynge myght not be vndone tyll y^t he had made gre [...] and restytycyon to the forsayd Iu­lyan / of that she asked. The Legate went thenne agayne to the pope after Crystmasse. And y^e kynge sente ouer see to Iulyan that was kynge Rychardes wyf for to haue a relate of that she axed of hym. ¶And so it befell that Iulyan deyed anone after Eester. And in so moche the kynge was quyte of that thynge that the axed. ¶But thenne at the feest of saynt Iohan that came nexte after / thorugh the popes com­maundemente / the enterdytynge was fyrst releasyd thrughout alle Englonde [...] daye of Iulii. And .vii. yere was the londe [...] terdyted. And on the mornynge m [...]n rough & sayd masse thorugh out all London and so [...] ter thorugh out all Englonde· ¶And the ne [...] yere after there began a grete debate bytwene kynge Iohan and the lordes of Englonde [...]or by cause that he wolde not graunte the law [...] and holde / the whiche saynt Edwarde had ordeyn [...]d / and had ben vsed & holden vnto that tyme that he had them broken. For he wolde holde noo lawe / but dyde all thynge that hym lyked / and dysheryted many men without consente of lordes and perys of y^e londe. And wo [...] dysheryte the good erle Radulf of Chestre for by cause that he vndertoke hym of hys wyc­kednesse / & for by cause that he dyde so moche shame and vylany to god and to holy chyrche▪ And also for he helde and haunted hys owne brothers wyfe / and laye also by many wym­men greate lordes doughters. For he spared no woman that hym lyked for to haue. wher­fore all the lordes of the londe were wrothe / & toke the cyte of London. To cesse this debate the Archebysshop and lordes of the londe assenbled before the feest of saynt Iohn̄ Bap [...]yst in a medowe besyde the towne of Stanys / that [Page] is called Romney mede. And the kynge made them there a chartre of fraunchyse / suche as they wolde axe / and in suche manere they we­ [...]e accorded / and that accordement lasted not full longe. For the kynge hymself soone after dyed ayenst the poyntes of the same chartre that he had made. wherfore the moost parte of the lordes of the londe assembled and began to warre vppon hym ayen / and brenned his townes / & robbed his folke / and dyde all the soro­we that they myght / & made them as stronge as they myght with all the power they hadde / and thought to dryue hym oute of Englonde / and make Lowys the kyngꝭ sone of Fraunce kynge of Englonde. ¶And kyng Iohn̄ sente tho ouer see and ordeyned so moche people of Normans / & of Pycardes / & of Flemynges / soo that the londe myghte not susteyne them / but with moche sorowe. ¶And amonge alle this people [...] there was a man of Normandye that was called Fawkis of Brent / and thys Normā and his company spared nother chir­ches ne houses of relygyon / but they brente & [...]obbed it / and bare a way a [...]l that they myght take so that the londe was all destroyed / what one syde and other. ¶The barons & lordes of Englonge ordeyned amonge theym the beste spekers and wysest men / and sente them ouer the see to kynge Phylyp of Fraūce / and pray­ed hym / that he wolde sende Lowys hys sone in to Englonde to be kynge of Englonde / and to receyue the crowne.

¶How Lowys the knges sone of Fraunce came in to Englonde with a stronge po­wer of people [...] to be kynge of Englonde·

ANone as kynge Phylyp of Fraunce herde these tydynges / he made certayne alyaunce bytwene theym by theyr comune eleccyon / that Lowys kynge Phylyps sone of Fraunce sholde go with theym in to Englon­de / and dryue out kynge Iohan of the londe. And all that were in presence of Lowes / made vnto hym homage / & became his men. ¶And the Barons of Englonde helde them styll att London / and abode Lowys the kynges sone of Fraunce. And thys was the nexte Sater­daye before the Ascensyon of our lorde / that Lowys came into Englonde wyth a stronge power. And that tyme kynge Iohn̄ had taken alle the castels of Englonde in to Alyens hon­des / ¶And tho came Lowwys / and besyeged Rochestre castell / and tooke yt wyth strength. And the thursdaye in wytson weke lete hange all the Alyens that were therin / And y^e Thursdaye nexte se wynge / he came to London / and there he was receyued with moche honur of the lordes that abode hym there / & all to hym made homage. ¶And after warde on the Te­wysdaye nexte after the. Trynyte sondaye he toke the castel of Reigate. And on the morowe after the castell of Gilforde / and the Frydaye nexte after the castell of Farneham. And the Mondaye nexte after the cyte of wynchestre to hym was yolde / and the morowe after Saynt Iohans daye the maner of wu [...]ueseye to hym yelden▪ And the Tewysdaye after the Vtas of saynt Peter and Poule they toke the castell of Odyham. And the mondaye after saynt / Margaretes day / he ordeyned hym to warde Bawmore / for to syege the castell / and there he dwelled .xv. dayes and myghte not gete the castell / and thenne wente he thens and came to Lon­don and the Toure to hym was yolden.

How y^e pope sēte in to Englonde a legate y^t was called Swalo & of y^e deth of kynge Iohan.

ANd in the same tyme the pope sente in to Englond a Legate / that was called Swalo / and he was preest Cardynall of Ro­me / for to mayntene kynge Iohans cause / a­yenst the barons of Englond. But the barons had so huge parte & helpe / thorugh lowys the kynges sone of Fraūce / that kyng Iohn̄ wyst not to [...]orne ne go. And so it befell that he wolde haue gone to Nycholl· And as he went thyder warde / he came by the abbaye of Swynes hede / & there he abode two dayes And as he sa­te at mete / he axed a monke of y^e hous how mo­che that a loof was wroth that was sette befo­re hym vpō the table / And the monke sayd [...]hat the loof was wroth but an half peny. O sayd the kynge tho. Here is greate chepe of brede. Now sayde he tho / and I may leue ony whyle suche a loof shall be wrothe .xx. shelynges or half a yere be gone. And so whan he sayd this worde / moche he thought / & often he syghed / & toke and ete of the brede / and sayd by god / y^e worde that I haue spoken / it shall be sothe· ¶The mōke that stode before the kyng was for this worde full sory in hys herte / & thought rather he wolde hym self suffre deth / & thought yf he myght ordeyne therfore some maner re­medy. And anone the monke wente vnto hys [Page lxii] abbot and was shryuen of hym / and tolde the abbot all that the kynge had sayd. And prayed hys abbot for to assoyle hym / for he wolde yeue the kynge suche a drynke that all Englond sholde be glad therof and Ioyfull Tho yede the monke in to a gardeine / and foūde a grete tode therin / and toke her vp and put her in a cuppe & prycked the tode thorugh with a broche ma­ny tymes tyll that the venym came out of eue­ry syde in the cuppe And tho tooke the cuppe & fyllyed it with good ale / and brought it before the kyng knelynge sayenge. Syr sayd he was­sayll / for euer the dayes of all your lyf dronke ye of so good a cuppe. ¶Begyne monke sayd the kynge. ¶And the monke dranke a greate draught / and toke the kynge the cuppe / and y^e kynge dranke also a greate draught / and sette downe the cuppe. The monke anon ryght wente in to farmere & there deyed anone / on who­os soule god haue mercy Amen. And fyue monkes synge for his soule specyally / & shall whyle that the abbaye standeth. The kynge rose vp anone full euyll at ease and commaūded to re­meue the table / and axed after the monke. And men tolde hym that he was deed / for his wom­be was broken in sondre. ¶Whan y^e kyng herde this / he cōmaunded for to trusse / but it was for nought / for is bely began to swelle for the drynke y^t he had drōke / & within two dayes he deyed on y^e morowe after saynt Lukys daye / & had many fayr chyldern of his body begaten / that is to say. Hēry his sone y^t was kyng after Iohan his fader / & Rycharde that was Erle of Cornewaylle / and ysabell that was Empresse of Rome / & Elenore that was quene of Scot­londe. And this kyng Iohan whan he had reg­ned .xiiii. yere & fyue monethes & fyue dayes / he deyed in the castell of ne werke. And his body was buryed at wynchestre.

¶Of kynge Henry the thyrde that was crowned at Gloucetree

ANd after this kynge Iohan regned his sone Henry / & was crowned at Glou­cette whan he was .ix. yere olde / on saynt Symondes daye & Iyde of Swalo the Legate of Rome thrugh counseyll of all the grete lordes that helde with kynge Iohan hys fader that is to saye / the erle Radulf of Chestre. wyllyam erle Marshall erle of Penbroke. Wyllyam y^e Brener erle of Feries. Serle y^e manly baron. And all other grete lordes of Englonde helde with Lowys the kynges sone of Fraūce. And anone after whan kynge Henry was crowned Swalo the Legate helde his counseyll at Bry­stowe at saynt Martyns feest. And there were xi. byssops of Englonde & of walys / and of o­ther prelates of holy chyrche a grete nombre / and erles & barons / & many knyghtes of Englonde. And all tho that were at that counseyll swore feawte vnto Henry the kyng that was kynge Iohn̄s sone. ¶And anone after the Legate enterdyted walys / for cause that they hel­de with the barons of Englonde. Also all tho that holpe / or yaue ony counseyll to meue warre ayenst the newe kynge Henry he accursyd them. And at the begynnynge he put in the sentence the kyngꝭ sone of Fraunce Lowys. And neuertheles the same Lowys wolde not spare for all that. But wente and toke the caastell of Barchamstede / & aleso y^e castell of Hirtfo [...] And from that daye afterwarde / the Barons dyde there so moche harme thrughout all En­glonde. And pryncypally y^e frensshemen that were with kynge Lowys. wherfore the grete lordes / and all the comyn people of Englonde lete them dresse / for to dryue Lowys & his company out of Englond / but some of the barons and Frensshemen were gone to the cyte of Nycholl / & toke the towne & helde it to kynge Lo­wys profyte. But thyther came kyng Henryes men with a grete power / that is to saye the erle Radulf of Chestre / & Wyllyam erle Mar­shall / & Wyllyam the Brenererle of Feryers & [Page] many other lordes with them / & yaue batayll vnto Lowys men. And there was slayne the erle of perchees & Lowys men were fowle dyscomfyted. And there was taken Serle erle of wynchestre / and Humfroyde. Boune erle of Hertforde / & Robert the sone of walter / & ma­ny other that began warre ayenst the kynge / there they were taken & ladde vnto kyng Hen­ry / that was kynge Iohn̄s sone. ¶And whan the tydynges cam to Lowys of the dyscomfyture / y^t was the kynges sone of Fraūce. He re­meued fro thens & wente vnto London / and lete shytte the yates faste of the cyte. And ano­ne after the kynge sente to the Burgeys of Lō don / that they sholde yelde them vnto hym / & the cyte also. And he wolde theym graunte all theyr fraunchyses that euer they were wonte to haue before. And wolde conferme them by his grete newe chartre vnder hys brode scale.

¶And in the same tyme a grete lorde that was called Eustace the monke came oute of Fraunce wyth a grete company of Lordes / & wolde haue come in to Englonde / for to haue holpen Lowys the kynges sone of Fraunce. But Hubert of Brugh / & y^e fyue por [...]es wyth .viii. shyppes tho mette with them in y^e hyghe see [...] & assaylled them egerly / & ouer came them with strength / & smote of Eustace the monkes heed. And toke also .x. grete lordes of Fraunce & put theym in to pryson. And slewe almoost all the men that came with theym / and anone drowned the shyppes in the see.

¶How Lowys corned ayen in to Fraunce / & of y^e confermacyon of kynge Iohans hartre.

SO whan Lowys herde these rydynges he dradde sore to be deed & lost. And lete or [...]yne / & speke bytwene the kynge & Lowys by the Legate Swalo And throughe the Archebysshop of Caunterbury / & thrugh other grete lordes that all the prysoners on that one halfe and that other sholde be delyuerd & go quyte. A [...]d Lowys hym self sholde haue for his costes a thousande poūde of syluer. and shold go out of Englonde / and come neure more ther in a­gayne. And in this maner was y^e accorde ma­de bytwene kynge Henry & Lowys. And tho was Lowys assoylled of the popes Legate / y^e was called Swalo of the sentēce that he was in / & the Barons of Englonde also. And after thys kynge Henry & Swalo the Legate & Lo­wys went to Merton & there was the peas cō fermed / & bytwene them ordeyned. And after Lowys wente from thens vnto London & to­ke his leue & was brought with moche honour vnto the see with the Archebysshop of Caun­terbury and with other bysshops / & also wyth erles and barons / and so went in to Fraunce. ¶And after warde the kynge & the Archebys­shop / and also erles & barons assembled them and came to the cyte of London att Myghel­mas that nexte came tho sewynge and helde there a grete parlament at London / And the­re were tho reuewed all the fraūchyse y^e kyng Iohn̄ had graunted / at Romney mede \ & kyn­ge Henry tho confermed by hys chartre / the whiche yet ben holden thrugh out all Englonde. ¶And in that tyme the kyng toke of euery plough lōde .ii. shleynges / & Hubert of Brugh was made tho cheyf Iustyce of Englond And this was in the fourth yere of kynge Henryes regne ¶And in the same yere was saynt Thomas of Caunterbury translated the .l. yere af­ter his martyrdome. And after it was ordey­ned by all the lordes of Englonde / that all Alyens solde go out of Englonde / and come nomore therin. And kynge Henry toke tho all the ca­stelles in to his honde / y^e kynge Iohan his fa­der had yeue & take to Alyens for to kepe y^t helde with hym. ¶But the proude Fawkys of Brytayn rychely lete araye his castell of Bedforde / whiche he had of kynge Iohn̄s yefte / & helde that castell ayenst kynge Henryes wyll with myght and strength. And the kynge ca­me thyder with a strong power / and besyeged the castell. And the Archebysshop mayster Stephen of Langton / wyth a fayre company of knyghtes came to the kynge hym for to helpe. And from the Ascensyon of our lord vnto the Assumpcyon of our lady lasted the syege. And tho was the castell wonne & take. And the kyn­he lete hange all tho that went in to the castell with theyr good wyll. for to holde the castell. That is for to saye .lxxx. men. ¶And tho after warde fawkys hymselfe was founde and had in a chyrche at Couentre / & there he forswore all Englonde with moche shame / and wente agayne in to his owne countree. ¶And whyles that kynge Henry regned. Edmonde of Abyndon / that was [...]relorer of Salysbury was consecrated Archebysshop of Caunterbury. And this kynge Henry sente ouer the see vnto the erle of prouynce / that he sholde lende hym [Page lxiii] his doughter in Englond / that was called Ellenore / and he wolde spowse her. And tho she came in to Englond after Crystmas. And on the morowe after saynt Hylaryes daye / y^e Archebysshop Edmonde spowsed them togyder at westmestre with grete solempnyte. And there was a swete syght bytwene them. That is to saye Edwarde that was nexte kynge after hys fader / floure of curteysy and of largenesse and Margarete that was after quen of Scotlonde / and Beautrice that was after countesse of Brytayne / Katheryne that deyed mayde in relygyon.

¶Of the quinzeme of goodes that were graunted for y^e newe chartre / and of the purueaunce of Oxforde.

ANd thus it befell that y^e lordes of Englonde wold haue some addycyous moo in the chartre of Fraunchyse that they had of the kynge / & spake thus bytwene them. And y^e kynge graunted them all theyr axenge. And made to them two chartres / that one is called the grete chartre of fraunchises / & that other is callad the chartre of forest. And for the graunt of these two chartres / prelates / Erles and Barons / and alle the comyns of Englonde / yaue to the kynge a thousande marke of syluer. ¶Whan kyng Henry had be kynge .xliii. yere the same yere he and his lordes / Erles and Barons of the reame wente to Oxforde / and or­deyned a lawe in amendemente of the reame. And fyrst swore the kyng hymself / & afterwar­de alle the lordes of the londe / that they wolde holde that statute for euermore / and who that them brake sholde be deed. But the seconde ye­re after that y^e ordynaunce / the kynge thrugh counseyll of Edward his sone / and of Rycharde his brother / that was erle of Cornwaylle / & also of other repented hym of that othe that he made for to holde that lawe and ordynaūce· And sente to y^e courtre of Rome to be assoylled of that othe. And in the yere next comynge af­ter / was the grete darth of corne in Englonde For a quarter of whete was worth .xxiiii. she­lynges. And the poore people ete netles and other wedes for hūgre. And deyed many a thousande for defawte of mete. ¶And in y^e .xlviii. yere of kynge Henryes regne began warre & debate bytwene hym & his lordes / for by cause he had broken the couenauntes that were ma­de bytwene them at Oxforde. ¶And y^e same yere was the towne of Northamton taken / & folke slayne that were wythin / For by cause that they had ordeyned wylde fyre for to bren­ne the cyte of London. ¶And in the monethe of Maye that the next after / vpon saynt Pan­cras daye / was the Batayll of lewes / that is to saye / the wenesday before Saynt Dūstans daye. And there was taken kynge Henry hym self / and syr Edwarde his sone / and Rychar­de his broder erle of Cornewaylle / and many other lordes. And in the same yere nextse wyn­ge syr Edwarde the kynges sone brake out of the warde of syre Symonde of Mountforth / erle of Leycetre at Hertforde / and wente vn­to the barons of the Marche / and they rceey­ued hym with moche honour. ¶And the same tyme Gylbert of Claraunce erle of Glocetre that was in the warde also of the forsayd Symon de thorugh the commaūdement of kynge Henry / that wente fro hym wyth grete herte / for cause that he sayd / that y^e forsayd Gylbert was a foole / and helde hym with kynge Henry ¶And on the Saterdaye nexte after the myddes of August / syre Edwarde the kynges sone dyscomfyted syr Symonde de Mountforth ac Kelyngworth / but the greate lordes that were there with hym were takē / that is to saye. Baldewyne wake. And Wyllyam de Mouchentye and many other grete lordes. And the Tewysdaye next after was y^e batayll done at Eusbā. And there was slayne syr Symonde de Moūtforth. Hugh the Spenser / & Mountforth that was Raufe Bassectes fader of Drayton and other many greate lordes / And whanne thys batayll was done / all the gentylmen that had ben with the erle Symonde were dyshery [...]ed / and ordeyned togyder and dyde moche harme to all the londe. For they destroyed theyr enmyes in all that they myght.

¶Of the syege of Kenylworth & how y^e gē ­tylmen were dysheryted thorugh counseyll of the lordes of the reame of Englonde and how they came agayne and had theyr londes.

ANd the nexte yere comynge in May / the fourth day before the feest of saynt Dunstane / was the bataylle & scomfyture are Chestrefelde / of them that were dysheryted / & there was many of theym slayne· ¶And Robert Erle of Feriers there was take / and also Baldewyne wake / & Iohan delahay / with moche sorowe escaped thens. And oon saynt Iohan [...] [Page] the Baptyst tho sewynge / began the syege of the castell Kenylworth / & the syege lasted to saynt Thomas eue the appostle. in whyche daye syr Hugh Hastynge had the castel for to kepe / y^t yelded vp the castell vnto the kynge in this manere / that hymself & the other y^t we­re within the castell / sholde haue theyr lyues & lymme / & as moche thynge as they had therin both hors & harneys / & foure dayes of repyte / for to delyuer clenly the castel / of them self & of all other maner thynge / as they had within y^e castell / & soo they wente fro the castell. And syr Symonde Noūtforth the yonger / & the countesse his mo [...] were gone ouer y^e see in to Fraū ce / & there helde them as people y^t were exyled out of Englonde for euer. ¶And soone after it was ordeyned by the Legate Octobone / & by other grete lordes / the wysest of Englonde that all tho that had be ayenste the kynge and were dysheryted / sholde haue ayen theyr lon­des by greuous raūsons / after that it was or­deyned. And thus they were accorded with the kynge & peas cryed thorughout all Englonde and thus the warre was ended. And whan yt was done the Legate toke hys leue of the kyn­ge & of the quene / of y^e grete lordes of Englon­de & wente tho to Rome the .lv. yere of kynge Henryes regne [...] & Edwarde kynge Iohn̄s so­ne of Brytayne Iohan Vessi. Thomas of Clare. Rogere of Clyfforde. Othes of Graūstone Robert le Brus. Iohn̄ of Verdon / and many other lordes of Englonde / and of beyonde the see toke theyr waye to warde the hooly londe. And the kynge Henry deyed in the same tyme at westmestre / whan he had regned .lv. yere & .xix. wekes / on saynt Edmonds daye the Ar­chebysshop of Caumterbury. And he was en­teryd on saynt Edmondes daye the kynge / in the yere of the Incarnacyon of our lorde Ihe­su Cryste .M.CC.lxxii.

¶Prophecye of Merlyn of the kyng Henry the th [...] expowned that was kynge Iohans sone.

ANd of this Hēry prophecyed Merlyn & sayd / that a lambe sholde come out of wynchestre / in the yere of y^e Incarnacyon of our lord Ihesu criste .M.CC. & .xvi. with true lyppes & holynesse wryten in his hert / And he sayd sothe / for the good Henry the kynge was borne in wynchestre / in the yere abouesayd / & he spake good wordes & swete / & was an holy man & of good consyence. And Merlyn sayd / that this Henry shold make the fayrest place of the worde / that in his tyme shold not be fully ended / & he sayd soth. For he made the newe werke of the abbaye of saynt Peters chirche at westmestre / y^t is fayrer of syght than ony o­ther place y^t ony man knoweth thorugh out al crystendom. But kyng Henry deyed are that werke were fully at an ende / & that was grete herme. ¶And yet sayd Merlyn / y^t this lambe sholde haue peas the moost parte of hys regne And he sayd full soth / for he was neuer noyed thorugh warre / neyther dyseased in no maner wyse / a lytell afore his deth / & Merlyn sayd in his prophecye more / & in y^e regne & ende of the forsayd lambe / a wulf of a straunge londe shal do hym moche harme thorugh his warre / and that he sholde at y^e last be mayster thorugh hel­pe of a reed foxe / that sholde come forthe of the North west & sholde hym ouercome. And that he sholde dryue hym out of the water / & y^e pro­phecye full well was knowen. For within a lytell tyme or y^e kyng deyed Symonde of Moūt­forde Erle of Leycerre / y^t was borne in Fraunce / beganne ayenste hym stronge warre / tho­rugh whyche doynge / many a good bacheler destroyed was and deyed / and dysheryted. ¶And whan kyng [...] Henry had the vyctory at Eusham / & Symonde the erle was slayne thorugh helpe & myght of Gylbert of clare erle of Glocetre / that was in kepynge & warde of the forsayde Symonde / thrugh ordynaunce of kynge Henry that wente ayen vnto the kynge wyth moche power. wherfore the forsayd Symonde was destroyed and that was grete har­me to the comyns of Englonde / that so good a man was slayne for the trouth / and deyed in thar [...]y [...]e / & for the comyn profyte of the same folke / & therfore almyghty god for hym hathe syns shewed many a fayre myracle to dyuers men & wymmen of y^e sykenesse & dyscease that they haue had for the loue of hym ¶And Merlyon also sayd in his prophecye / that afer that tyme / the lame sholde lyue no whyle / & thenne his seed sholde be in straunge londe wythout ony pasture / and he sayd sothe / for kyng Henry lyued no whyle after that Symonde Moun­forde was slayne / that kynge Henry ne deyed anone after hym. And in the meane tyme syre Edwarde hys sone / that was the beste kyng of the worlde ef honour / was tho in the holy lond [Page lxiiii] and gate there. Acres. And in that countree he begate there vpon dame Elenore his wyf Io­han of Acres hys doughter / that afterwarde was countesse of Glocetre / & made suche a vyage in the holy londe / that all the worlde spake of his knyghthode / & euery man dradde hym hye & lowe thorughout all crystendome / as the storye of hym telleth / as afterwarde ye shall here more openly. ¶And from the tyme y^t kynge Henry deyed / tyll that syr Edward was crowned kynge / al the grete lordes of Englonde were as faderles childern wythout ony socoure / that theym myght mayntene & gouerne / and defende ayenst theyr deedly enmyes.

GRegorius the .ix. was pope after Honorius / thys man canonysed many sayn­tes / & defended myghtely y^e chyrche ayenst Frederyk / therfore the tooke many prelates & two Cardynalles / the whiche wente to counseyll ayenst hym This pope was segyd in the cyte of Rome by the Emperour / & he sawe the Romayne were corrupte by the moneye of the Em­perour. Thenne he toke in hys honde the hee­des of the appostles Peter & Poule / and went with processyon fro the chyrche of saynt Iohn̄ Latranente / to saynt Peters chyrche. ¶And so he gate the hertꝭ of the Romayns / & the Emperour went fayr a waye fro the cyte. This pope made frere Ianond to compyle the fyue bokes of Decretales / of many pystles and decrees. And after with many trybulacōns of chyptyraūt and other / he decessyd and wente to he­uen. ¶Celestinus the fourth was pope after Gregorius almoost a moneth / and he was in his lyf and in hys conynge laudable. And he was an olde man & a feble & decessyd / & there was no pope after hym almoost a .xii. month. ¶Innocenciꝰ the fourth was pope after hym almoost .xi. yere & .vi. monethes / thys man ca­nonysed many sayntes / & Frederyke the Em­perour he deposyd as enmye vnto god in the thyrde yere that he was made pope / & he was holpe by the Ianuencꝭ. ¶Thenne was Hen­ry the sixt chosen & wyllyam / by the popes commaundement ayenst Frederyk that one after an other / but they preuayled not to ouercome hys tyranny / for he was ouermyghty / ne the­se were not crowned / for they decessyd anone. ¶Thomas de Alquine an holy doctour Albertus magnus the bysshop of Ratysponens. Eustacius. Bonouenture a deuoute doctour were thys tyme / the whiche destroyed moche heresye enfected by the Emperour. ¶Alexander was pope after Innocencius .viii. yere / & lytell of hym is wryten ¶Vrbanus was after hym thre yere & thre monethes / This man droue awaye the host of the Sarrasyns by men mar­ked with the crosse / the whiche Maufred had sent ayenst the chyrche / And the pope toke the kyngdome of Cecyle to the kynges brother of Fraunce / y^t he sholde fyght with Maufrede / & thenne he decessyd. And Maufrede after loste his lyf and his kyngdom bi Karolus· ¶Alphō sus the kynge of Castell Rychardes brother to the kynge of Englonde erle of Corne waylle / were chosen Emperours after the longe vacacyon of the Empyre / for the chesers of the Em­perour were diuyded in sondre and there was grete stryfe many yere. At the last decessyd Rycharde / & Alphonsus came agaye afore Gregorius the .ix. by the sygne of peas [...] and vtterly renoūced all this tytle of the Empyre & he hadde ony / for he was a very wytty mā / and a noble astronemer / and hys tables ben very famous the whiche he made / for they be compendyons ¶Clemens the fourth was pope after Vrba­nus .iii. yere & .ix· monethes this Clemēs was an holy man / & sayd thrugh the spyryte of pro­phecy / y^t the enmyes of the chyrche shold perysshe as the smoke. And it is to byleued that god cessyd the trybulacyons of the chyrche thorugh his merytes. Thys man afore had a wyf and chyldern / and whan he was preest and after bysshop he was sente in to Englonde Le­gate / and he no thynge knowyng was chosen pope / and after decessyd blessydly for hys ver­tuous lyuynge. ¶Gregorias the .x. was pope after hym foure yere / after he was made pope for the desyre that he had to the holy londe. the whyche he entended to vysyte personally / a [...]e Londō in Fraunce he made a solempne counseyll / in the wihche the counseyll of the Grekes and the Tartars were & there the Grekꝭ promysed to be refourmed by the vnyte of the chirche. And the Tartars were but a lytell afore baytysed / & promysed the same. And there we­re gadred .vi.C. bysshops & .M. prelates / and therfore a certayne man sayde Gregorius gadred togyder all kynde of people / & there was decreed / that all persones & vycaryes shold be called preestꝭ / & no prelates / & y^t no man sholde assygne his tythes to what chyrche he wolde / [Page] and they dyed afore. But they sholde be payed to his moder chirche. And he dampned y^e plu­ralyte of benefyces / and deyed a blessyd man. ¶Innocencius the .v. was after hym .v. mo­nethes / & lytell he dyd. ¶Adrianus was after hym [...]o monethe / & dyde lesser ¶Iohānis the .x [...]i. was after hym .viii. monethes / & he was in dyuers scyences a famous man / but in maners a fole & decessyd anone. ¶Nicholaus the thyrd was pope after Iohn̄ oo yere. Thys mā was in his dayes in buldynge a noble man. & well gouerned the cyte all his dayes. & the secō de yere he decessyd. ¶Radulphus was Emperour .xviii yere / this man was Erle of Hane­brough a wyse mā in armes / noble and vyctoryous & was chosen at Basyle· And he toke y^e crosse on hym for the holy londe. Thimperyall blessynge he had not / but the pope alowed the eleccyon for fauour of the holy londe:

¶How kynge Edwarde that was kynge Henryes sone.

ANd after this kyng Henry regned Edwarde hys sone the worthyes knyght of the worlde in honour / for goddes grace was in hym / for he had the vyctorye of hys enmyes & as soone as hys fader was deed / he came to London with a noble company of prelates / erles and barons / and all mē dyd hym moche honour. For in euery place y^e syr Edwarde rode in London / the stretes were couered ouer hys heed with sylke of tapiscery / and other riche couerynges. And for Ioye of his comynge / the burgeys of the Cyte caste out at theyr wyndo­wes golde and syluer hondes full / in tokenyn­ge of loue and worshyp / seruyce and reuerence. And out of condyte of Chepe ranne whyte wyne and reed / as stremes both of the water / and euery man dranke therof y^e wolde at theyr owne wyll. & this kyng Edwarde was crow­ned and enoynted as ryght heyer of Englonde with moche honour. And after masse y^e kynge wente in to his place to holde a ryall feest amō ge them that dyde hym honour. And whan he was sette to meete / The kynge Alexander of Scotlonde came to do hym honour and reue­rence / with a q [...]eyntesye & an hondred knygh­tes with hym well horsyd & arayde. And whan they were alyght of theyr stedes / they lete the­ym go whether they wolde / & who that myght take them tooke at theyr owne wyll / wythout ony chalenge·r And after came syre Edmonde kynge Edwardes brother a curteys knyght & a gentyll of renowne / & the erle of Corne wayllle / and the erle of Glocestre. And after thenne came the erle of Penbroke / & the erle of Garenne. And eche of them by themself ladde in theyr honde an hondred knyghtes gayly dysgysed in theyr armes. And whan they were alygh­ted of theyr horses / they lete them go whether that they welde / & who y^t myght them catche / them to haue styll without ony chalenge. And whan all this was done / kyng Edwarde dyde his dylygence & his myghte for to amende and dresse the wronges in the beste manere that he myght to the honour of god & holy chyrche / & to mayntene his honoure / and to amende the noyannce of the comyn people.

¶How ydeyne that was Lewelyns doughter of walys / prynce Aymer / that was y^e erles brother of Moūforde were taken in the see.

THe fyrste afterwarde y^e kynge Edwarde was crowned Lewelyn prynce of wales sent in to Faraunce to the erle Moūfor­de / that thorough coūseyl of his frendes / y^e erle sholde wedde his doughter. And the erle tho auysed hym vpō this thynge / and sent vnto Le­welyn and sayd. that he wolde sende after hys doughter. & so he sent Aymer his broder after the damoysell. & Lewelyn arayed shyphes for his doughter and for Syre Aymer. and for her faare company that sholde goo with her. And this Lewelyn dyd grete wronge. for it was couenaūted that he sholde yeue hys doughter to no manere man / without counsell & consente of kyng Edwarde. And so it befell that a Burgeys of Brystow came in the see with wyne laden. and mette them & toke them with myght and power. And anone the Burgeys sent theym to the kyng. And whan Lewely herde this tydynges he was very wroth / and also sorowfull· and gan to warre vpon kynge Edwarde and dyde moche harme vnto Englysshmen / and bete downe y^e kynges castels / and began for to destroye kynge Edwardes londe. And whā tydynges cam vnto y^e kyng of this thyng he wente in to walys and so moche he dyde thorough goddes grace and his grete power that he drofe Lewelyn vnto grete myschyef / that he fledde all maner of strength & came & yelded hym vnto kyng Edwarde. & yaue hym .l. marke of syluer to haue peas. And toke the damoysell & all his herytage. & made an oblygacōn to kynge Edwarde to come to his parlyamente two tymes of the yere And in the seconde yere after that kynge Edwarde was crowned / he helde a generall parleamente att westmestre / & there he made the statutes for defaute of lawe by the comune assent of all his baronage / and at Ester nexte sewenge / the kynge sente by his letter vnto Lewelyn prynce of wales that he sholde come to his parlemēt for his londe / and for hys holdynge in wales / as the strenthe of his letter oblygatory wytnessyd. Tho Lewelyn had scorne and dyspyte of the kynges com­maundement / And for pure wrache ayen be­gan warre vpon kyng Edwarde. and destroy­ed his londe. And tho whan kynge Edwarde herd of these tydynges / he wexed wonder wrothe vnto Lewelyn & in hast assembled his people / & went hym to warde wales. And warred so vpon Lewelyn the prynce / tyll that he brou­ghte hym in moche sorowe & dysease. And Lewelyn sawe that is defence myghte hym not auaylle / and came ayen / and yelded hym to y^e kynges grace / & cryed hym mercye. and longe tyme kneled before the kynges fote. The kyn­ge had of hym pyte / & cōmaunded hym for to aryse. And for his mekenes foryaue hym hys wrathe / and to hym sayd / that yf he trespassed to hym a nother tyme that he wolde dystroye hym for euermore. ¶Dauid that was Lewelyns brother that same tyme dwelled with kynge Edwarde / and was a felle man and a sub­tyll and enuyous and also ferre castynge / and moche treason thoughte· and euermore made good semblame / and semyd soo true that noo man myght perceyue his falsnes.

¶How Lewelyn thrugh eggynge of his brother Dauyd werryd agayn vpō kȳg Edward

IT was not longe after that tyme y^e kyn­ge Edwarde yaaf to Dauyd Lewelyns broder the lordshyppe of Frodesham. & made hym a knyght and so moche honour dyde he neuer after to mā of walys by cause of hym kyn­ge Edwarde helde his parlemente at London whan he hadde do in walys that he wolde and chaunged his moneye / that was full yll kytte / wherfore the people playned sore. So that the kynge enquered of the trespassours. And thre houndred were atteynted of suche maner fals­nes / wherfore some where hanged and somme drawen and after hangyd. ¶And afterwarde the kynge ordeyned / that the sterlynge halfpeny sholde go thorugh out all hys londe / And commaūded that no man fro that daye afterwarde yaue ne feoffed hous of religyō with londe / tenemente without specyall leue of the kynge. And he y^t dyde sholde be punysshed att the kynges wyll / & the yeft shall be for nought. And it was not longe after y^e Lewelyn prynce of walys thrugh the tycemente of Dauyd hys brother / & bothe theyr consente / they thought to dysheryte kynge Edwarde / in asmoche as they myght / so that thorugh them both y^e kyn­ges peas was broken. And whan kynge Edwarde herde of this / anon he sent his barons in to Northumberlonde & the Surreys also / y^t they sholde go & take theyr vyage vpon y^e tray­tours Lewelyn & Dauyd. And wonder herde [Page] it was for to warre tho / For it is wynter ī walys / whan in other coūtres is Somer. And Lewelyn lete ordeyne & well arayed & vytayll hys good castell of Swandon. and was ther in an huge nombre of people / & plente of vytaylles so that kynge Edwarde wyst not wher for to entre And whan the kynges men it perceyuer and also the strenth of walys they lete come in the see bargees & botes. and grete plankys as many as they myght ordeyne & haue: for to go to the sayd castell of Swandon. wyth men on foot & also on hors. But the walsshmen had so moche people / & were so stronge. that they draue the Englysshmen ayen / so y^t ther was so moche presse of people at y^e tornynge ayen that y^e charge & the burden of men made y^e bargees & the botes to synke & there was drowned many a good kynght / y^t is to say. syr Robert Clyfford syr wyllyam of Lyndeseye y^t was· syre Iohn̄s sone Fitz Robert. & syr Rychard Tanny and ā huge nombre of other / & all was thrugh there owne foly. For yf they had had good espyes / they had not be harmyd. whan kynge Edwarde herde tell that hys people were so drowned▪ He made sorowe ynough. but tho came syr Iohan of Vessy frome the kynge▪ Aragon. And brought wyth hym moche people of bachelers and of Gascoynes / and were souldyurs. And dwelled with the sayde Iohn of Vessy & recey­ued of hym wages and with hym were witholde. and noble men they were for to fyght and brente many townes / & slewe moche people of walsshmen. All that they myght take. And all tho wyth strenth & myght made assawte vnto the castell of Swandon and gate the castell / And whan Dauyd the prence brother herde of this tydynges he ordeyned hym to flyght and Lewelyn the prynce sawe that his broder was fledde / then he was sore abasshed for he had no power to his warre for to mayntene. And soo Lewelyn gan for to flee / and wynde well for to haue scapedde. But in a morowe syre Roger mortymer mette wyth hym oonly wyth .x. knyghtes. And sette hym rounde aboute. And to hym went / & smote of hys heed / & presented y^e same heed vnto kynge Edwarde. And in thys manere Lewelyn the prynce of walys was taken / and hys heed smyten of / and also alle hys heyres dysheryted for euermore thrugh ryght full dome of all the lordes of the reame.

¶How Dauyd that was Lewelyns bro­der prynce of walys was put to dethe.

DAuid that was the prynces broder of walys / thrugh pryde wende to haue be prynce of walys / after his brothers dethe / and vpon this he sent after walsshemen to hys par­leament at Dynbygh and folysshely made walys to aryse ayenst the kynge and began to meue warre ayenst kynge Edwarde and dyde all the sorowe and dysease that he myghte by hys power. whan kynge Edwarde herde of thys thynge / he ordeyned men to pursewe vppon hym. And Dauyd fyersly hym defended / tyll y^e he came to the towned of saynt Morice / and there was Dauyd take as he fledde. and ladde to the kynge. And the kynge cōmaunded that he sholde be hangyd & drawen / & smyte of hys heed / & quarter hym / & sende his hede to Lon­don and the foure quarters sende to the foure chyef townes of walys. For they sholde take ensample therof and beware. And afterwarde kynge Edwarde lete crye his peas thrugh out all walles & seased all the londe in to his honde & all the grete lordes that were left alyue came to do feaute & homage to the kynge Edwarde as to theyr kynde lorde / And tho lete kyng Edwarde amende the lawes of walys that were defectyue And he sent to all y^e lordes of walys by letter patentes / that they sholde come all to parlament And whan they were come y^u kyng sayd to them full curteysly lordynges ye be welcome / & me behoueth your counseyll & your helpe for to go vnto Gascoyne for to amende the trespasse y^t to me was done whan I was there And for to entreate of peas bytwene the kynge of Aragon & the prynce of Morrey / & all y^e kynges lyege men erles & barons cōsented & graū ­ted therto. And tho made hym kynge Edwarde redy & went in to Gascoyne. & lete amende all the trespasses y^t hym was done in Gascoyne. And of the debate y^t bytwene the kynge of Aragon & the prynce of Morrey he sessyd and made theym accorded. And whyle good kyng Edwarde and Elynore his wyf were in Gas­coyne. The good erle of Cornewayll was made wardeyn of Englonde tyll that kynge Edwarde came ayen. And tho enquered he of hys traytours y^t coniected falsenesse agaynst hym. And eche of them all receyued ther dome after that they had deserue. But in the meane tyme [Page lxvi] that the good kynge Edwarde was beyonde the see to doo / them for to make amendes that ayenst hym had trespassyd ther was a false the yf / a traytoure that was called Rysap Merydok / began for to make werre ayenst kyng Edwarde. and y^t was for cause of syr payne Typtot. wrongfully greued & dysceased the forsayde Rysap meradok. And whan kyng Edwarde herde all this matere & it well vnderstode ano­ne he sente by hys letter pryue seale to the for­sayd Rebellyō Rysap Merydok that he sholde begynne in no maner wyse for to make & reyse werre but y^t he sholde be in peas for his loue / & whan he came ayen in to Englonde he wolde vnder take the quarell & amende al y^t was mysdon. This forsayd Rysap Merydok dyspysed the kynges commaundement and spared not to doo all the sorowe that he myght to the kyn­ges men of Englond But anon after he was take and ladde to yorke / and there he was dra­wen and hangyd for his felonye.

¶Of dressyng that kynge Edwarde made of his Iusticꝭ and of his clerkes that they had done for ther falsnes and how he draue the Iewes out of Englonde for ther vsury and mys­byleue.

AS kynge Edwarde had dwelled thre yere in Gascoyne a desyre came to him for to goo in to Englonde ayen. And whan he was come ayen he foūde so many playntes made to hym of his Iustyces & of his clerkes that had done so many wronges & falsnesse y^t won­der it was to here and for whiche falsnesse syre Thomas waylond y^e kynges Iustyce / for swore Englonde at the toure of London / for fals­nesse that mē put vpon hym / wherfore he was atteynt / & proued fals· And anone after whan the kyng had done his wyll of the Iustices tho lete he enquere & espye how the Iewes dyscey­ued and begyled his people / thorugh the synne of falsnesse and of vsury. And lete ordeyne a preuy parlement amonge his lordes. And they ordeyned amonge theym / that all the Iewes sholde voyde out of Englonde for theyr mys­byleue / and also for theyr fals vsury that they dyde vnto crysten men. And for to spedde and make an ende of this thynge / all the comyn alte of Englonde yaue vnto the kynge the .xv. peny of all theyr goodes meuable / and soo we­re the Iewes dryuen oute of Englonde. And tho went the Iewes in to Fraunce. And there they dwellyd / thorugh leue of kynge Phylyp that tho. was kynge of Fraunce.

¶How kynge Edwarde was seased in alle the londe of Scotlonde through cōsente and graunte of all the lordes of Scotlonde·

IT was not longe after that Alexandre kynge of Scotlonde was dede / and Da­uyd the erle of Huntyngdon that was the kynges brother of Scotlonde axed & claymed the kyngdom of Scotlond after his brother was deed for cause y^t he was ryghtfull heyre / But many grete lordes sayd nay. Wherfore greate debate arose bytwene theym & there frēdes for asmoche as they wolde not consente to hys co­ronacyon / and the meane tyme the forsayd Dauyd deyed / & so it befell that y^e sayd Dauyd had thre doughters y^t worthyly were maryed / the fyrst doughter was maryed to Bayloll / the seconde to Brus / and the thyrde to Hastynges. The forsayd Bayloll & Brus chalenged y^e lon­de of Scotlonde / & greate debate & stryf arose bytwene them by cause eche of them wolde ha­ue be kynge· And whan the lordes of Scotlonde saw the debate bytwene them / came to kynge Edwarde of Englonde. & seased hym in all the londe of Scotlond as chyef lord. & whā the kyng was seased of y^e forsayd lordes y^e forsayd Baylol Brus & Hastinges came to the kynges courte axyd of the kyng whyche of them shold be kynge of Scotlonde And kyng Edwarde y^e full gentyll & true / lete enquyre by the Crony­cles of Scotlonde / and of the gretest lordes of Scotlonde / whiche of them was of the eldest blood. And it was foūde that Baylol / was the eldest. And that y^e kyng of Scotlond sholde holde of the kynge of Englonde / & do hym frauce and homage. And after this was done Baylol went in to Scotlōde / and there was crowyed kynge of Scotlonde. ¶And y^e same tyme was vpon the see grete warre bytwene the Englysshemen and the Normans But vpō a tyme the Normans arryued all at Douer. and ther they martred an holy mā that was called Thomas of Douer / And afterwarde were the Normās slayne. that there escaped not one of thē ¶And so afterwarde kynge Edwarde sholde lete the duchye of Gascoyne thrugh kynge phylyp of Fraūce thrugh his fals castynge of the Dousepers of the londe / wherfore syr Edmond that was kynge Edwardes brother yaue vp his domage vnto the kynge of Fraūce. ¶And in the [Page] tyme the clerkes of Englond graunted to kynge Edwarde half [...]eale of holy chirche goodes in helpynge to recouer his londe agayne in gascoyne. And the kyng sent thether a noble company of hys bachelers. And hymself wolde ha­ue gone to Portelmouth / but he was let thru­ghe one maddok of walys y^t had seased the cas­tell of Swandon in to his honde & for that cause the kynge torned to walys at Cristmasse / & by cause that the noble lordꝭ of Englond y^t were sent in to Gascoyne had no comforth of there lorde the kynge they were take of syr Char­lys of Fraūce / y^t is to say / syr Iohn̄ of brytay­ne / syr Robert Tiptot / syr Raufe Tanny / syr Hugh Bardolfe / and syr Adam of Cretynge / And yet att the assensyon was Maddok take in walys & a nother that was called Morgan And they were sent to the tour of London and there they were byheded.

¶How Syre Iohan Baylol kyng of Scotlonde with sayde his homage.

ANd whan syre Iohn̄ Baylol kynge of Scotlonde vnderstande y^e kynge Ed­warde was werred in Gascoyne / to whom y^e reame of Scotlond was delyuerd / Falsly tho ayenst his othe with sayd his homage thrugh procurynge of his folke & sent vnto y^e court of Rome thrugh a fals suggestyon to be assoylled of that othe y^t he swore vnto the kyng of Eng­londe & soo he was by letter enbulled. ¶Tho chose they of Scotlonde dousepers / for to br­nyge Edward of his ryght. ¶And in y^e tyme came two Cardynalles from y^e cource of Ro­me fro the pope Celestme / to trete of acorde bytwene y^e kyng of Englōd. & as tho cardinalles spake of accorde. Thā as turbeluyll was takē at Lyons & made homage to the warde of Pa­rys & put his sones in hostage / & thought to go in to Englonde aspye the countre / & tell them whan he came to Englond that he had broken the kynges pryson of Fraunce by ryght & said that he wolde do y^t all Englysshmen & walshe­men sholde aboute the kynge for to brynge to the ende he swore / & vpon thys couenaunt de­des were made bytwene them / & that he sholde haue by yere a thousand poūdes worth of londe. to byrnge this thynge to an ende. This fals traytour toke his leue / & wente thens & came in to Englonde vnto the kynge & seyd. that he was broke oute of pryson & y^t he had put hym in suche peryll for his loue wherfore the kyng cowde hym moche thanke & full gladde was of his comynge. ¶And the fals traytoure fro that daye / aspyed all the doynge of the kynge & also his counselle / for the kyng loued hym full welle and with hym full preuy But clerke of Englonde / that was in the kynges hows of Fraunce: herde of this treason / and of the falsnesse / and wrote to another clerke / that tho was dwellynge with Edwarde kynge of Englonde. all how Thomas Turbeluyll hadde done his fals c [...]niectynge / and all the counselle of Englonde was wryte for to haue sende vn­to the kynge of Fraunce. ¶And thoruhhe the forsayde letter that the clerke hadde sente fro Fraunce it was founde vppon. wherfore he was ledde to London and hangyd and drawe there for his treason. And hys two sones that he hadde put in Fraunce for hostage. were thenne beheeded.

¶Of the Conquest of Berwyke.

SO whan the twoo Cardynalles were gone agayne in to Fraunce for to trete of the peas of cambroy the kynge sent thether of his erles and barons. This is to saye syr Edmonde his broder erle of Lancastre and of Lecetre / syr Henry Lacy erle of Nychol / & Wyllyam Vessy Baron / and of other baronettes. a­boute .xiii. of the best and wysest of Englonde ¶And in the same tyme the kynge Edwarde toke his vyage to Scotlonde / for to werre vpon Iohn̄ Baylol kynge of Scotlonde. ¶And syr Robert Roos of Berwyk sledde fro y^e Englysshmen / & wente to the Scottes. And kyng Edwarde wente hym towarde Berwyk / and besegyd the towne. And tho that were within manly them defended & sette a fyre and brente two of Kynge Edwardes shyppes / and sayde in dyspyte and reprey [...] of hym (wenyth kynge Edwarde with his longe shankys / to haue gete Berewyk all our vnthankes gas pykes hym / and whan he was doon gas dykes hym) whan kyng Edwarde thys scorne / anone thorugh hys myghtenesse / he passed ouer the dy­ches and assaylled the towne / and came to the yates / and gate and conquered the towne / and thrughe hys gracyous power slewe .xxv. thou­sande and .vii. hondred scottes. and Kynge Edwarde loste no man of renoune saufe syr Ry­charde of Cornewayle. and hym kylled a Flemynge out of the redde halle with a quarell as the forsayd Rycharde dyde of hys helme. And [Page lxvii] comaunded theym for to yelde them / and put them in the kynges grace. And y^e Scottes wolde not wherfore that halle was brent and cast downe. And all tho that were therin were brente and kynge Edwarde loste noo moo men at that vyage of symple estate but .xxvii. Englys­shemen. And the wardeyn of the castell yaue vp the keyes of y^e castell wythout ony assawte And there was taken syre Wyllyam Douglas Symonde Frysell and the erle patryk yelded them to the peas. But Ingham of Humbres­mylle & Robert the Brus that were with kynge Edwarde forsoke kynge Edwarde and helde with the Scottes. And afterward they were taken and put in to pryson And tho lete kynhe Edwarde close in Berwyk wyth walles & with dyches / and after Robert Rous went to Tyndale / and sette wuyerbrydge a fyre and Exham / and Lamerstok and slewe and rob­byd the folke of the countree. And after that he wente fro thens to Dunbarre. And the fyrste wenesdaye of Marche the kynge sent the erle of Garenne. syr Hugh Percy and syre Hugh Spenser wyth a fayre company for to besege the castell. But one that was called syre Ry­charde Sywarde a traytoure and a fals man ymagyned for to begyle the Englysshmē / and sente to the Englysshmen theym for to deseey­ue / and sayd / That he wolde yelde to theym y^e castell. yf they wolde graunt them .viii. dayes of respyce / that he myhht sende and telle to syr Iohan Bayloll that was kynge of Scotlonde how is men fared that were within the castell. ¶And hym worde but yf he wolde remeue the sege of the Englysse men / that they wolde yel­de that castell vnto the Englysshe men. ¶The messenger tho came to syr Iohan Baylol that tho was kynge of Scotlōde where that he was wyth his hooste / and the messenger tolde hym all the caas / And syr Iohan toke his hoste and came on the morowe erly towarde the castell. and syr Rycharde sywarde sawe hym come y^t was mayster of the counseyll and keper of the castell and sayd vnto the Englyssgmen O sayde he. now I see a fayre company and well apparelled I wyll goo ayenste theym / and wyth them to mete / and theym assaylle. And syr Hu­ghe Spenser sawe the falsnesse of hym· and y^e treson· And sayd to hym O traytour take and proue your falsnesse shalle not auaylle you. And Hughe Spenser commaunded anone to bynde hym. And all in hast wente ayenst ther enmyes / and slewe of Scottes .xxii. thousand. For the Scottes had that tyme no man wyth them of honour saufe Patryke Graham that manly foughte / and longe at the laste he was slayne. And tho sayde the Englysshmen in repreyf of the Scottes (Thyse scaterande Scottes holde I for sottes of wrenches vn ware. Erly in a mornynge in an euyll tymynge wen­te ye fro Dūbare. ¶As tho that ware within the castell sawe the scomfyture they yelded vp the castell vnto the Englysshmen. And bounde theyr bodyes godes & castels to kynge Ed­warde. And soo there were take in that castell thre erles .vii. barons / and .xxxviii. knyghtes & xi. clerkes / and .vii. Pycardys and all were presentyd to kynge Edwarde And he sente thē to the towre of London to be kepte.

¶How kynge Edwarde of his greate grace delyuered ayen the Scottes oute of pryson that were cheyftayns of that londe and they drewe them to the Frensshemen thrugh coun­seyll of Wyllyam waleys.

AS kynge Edwarde had made tho an ende of y^e werre. and taken the chey [...]e­yns of Scotlonde. tho came syr Iohan Baylol and yelded hym vnto kynge Edwarde & put hym in his grace and he was ledde to London and whan kyng Edwarde was come thether they were brough before hym / And the kynge axed howe they wolde make amendes of the trespaas and losse that they had doon to hym and they put theym in his mercy. Lordynges sayde the kynge I wyll not of your londes ne your goodes / but I wyll that ye make to me an othe vpō goddys body to be true to me and neuer after this tyme ayenst me bere armys▪ And all they consentyd to the kynges wyl and swore vpon goddys body. That is to saye syr Iohn̄ of Comyn. the erle of Scra [...]hron / the erle of Carryk / and also foure bysshops vnder­toke for all the clergye and so the kynge dely­uered thē / and yaue them sauf conduyce to go in to ther owne londe. And it was not longe afterwarde that they ne aryse ayenst kynge Ed­warde / for cause that they wyst well that kynge Edwardes folke was take / in Gascoyne / as before is sayd But syr Iohn̄ Bayloll kynge of Scotlonde wyste well. that his londe sholde haue sorowe and shame / for theyr falsnesse· And in hast wēte hym ouer the see to his owne [Page] londes and there he helde hym and came neuer ayen wherfore the Scottes chose vnto theyr kynge wyllyam waleys / a rybaude & an har­lot comen vp of nought / and moche harme dyde to Englysshmen and kyng Edwarde thoughte how he myght haue delyueraunce of his peple that were take in Gascoyne. And ī hast wente hym ouer the see in to Flaunders for to werre vpon the kyng of Fraūce. And the erle of Flaunders receyued hym wyth moche ho­nour and grayntyd hym all his londys at hys owne wyll. And whan the kynge of Fraunce herde telle the kyng of Englonde was aryued in Flaundres and came wyth a greate power hym for to dystroye. He prayed hym of trewes for two yere / so that the Englysshe marchaun­tes & also Frenche myght saufly go and come in bothe sydes. The kynge Edwarde graūted [...]. so that he muste haue his men out of pryson that were in Gascoyne & the kynge of Fraunce anone graunted and so they were delyuerd. ¶And in y^e same tyme the Scottes sente by y^e bysshop of saynt andrewes in to Fraūce to the kynge & to syr Charles his brother. y^e syr Charles sholde come wyth hys power and they of Scotlōde wolde come with theyr power / and so they sholde go in to Englonde / that loude to dystroye from Scotlonde vnto they came to [...]ente. & the Scottes trustyd moche vpon the Frēsshmen but of y^e thyng they had no maner graūt & neuertheles y^e Scottes beg to robbe & kylle in Northūberlond / & dyd moche harme.

¶How wyllyam waleys lete reyse y^e londe of Scotlonde as cheyf lorde. And syr Hugh of Cressynham & of the batayll of Fonkyrke.

AS tydynges was come to kynge Ed­warde that wyllyam walys had ordeyned suche a stronge power. And also that alle Scotlonde to hym was attendaunt & redy for to slee Englysshmen and to dystroye the londe he was sore anoyed / and sente anone by letter to therle of Garrenne / to syr Henry Percy / & to wyllyam Latomer / & to syr Hughe of Cres­synham his tresoroer. that they sholde take power / and go in to Northumberlonde. and soo forth in to Scotlōde. For to kepe the countres and whan wyllyam waleys herde of theyr cō mynge. He began to flee and the Englysshmen hym folowed & dr [...]ue hym tyll he cam to Stryuelyn & there he helde hym in the castell. And the walsshmen euery daye them escryed & me­nacyed / and dyde all the dyspyte that they my­ghte soo that Englysshmen vpon a tyme in a mornynge went out fro the castell / the moūtenaunce of .x. myles / and passed ouer a brydge & william waleys came with a strōg power / & droue them abak / for the Englysshmen had ayenst hym noo power tho but fledde. and they that myght take the brydge scaped. but syr hughe the kyngs tresorer there was slayne / and many other also / wherfore was made moche sorowe. ¶Tho had kynge Edwarde sped all hys maters in Flaūdres / and was come ayen in to Englonde / and in haste toke his waye in to Scotlonde / and came theder at the Ascencyon tyde. And all that he founde he sette a fyre and brente / But the poore people of Scotlonde came to hym wonder thyck and prayed hym for goddys loue / that he wold on them haue Mercy & pyte tho the kynge cōmaunded y^t no man sholde doo them harme y^t were yolden to hym / ne to no man of ordre ne to no hous of relygyon / ne no manere chyrche. but lete espye all that he myght where y^t he myght fynde ony of his enmyes tho came a spye vnto the kynge & tolde where that y^e Scottes were assembled to abyde bataylle. And on saynt Mary Mawdelyns daye / y^e kynge came to Fonkyrk and yaue bataylle to the Scottes and at that bataylle were slayne .xxx. thousande Scottes / and of Englysshemen .xviii. and no mo. Of the whyche was a worthy knyght slayne y^t was a kny­ghte hospytelere that was callyd Frery bryan Iay. For whan Wyllyam waleys fledde from the batayll that same Frery bryan hym pursewed fyersly / & as his hors ranne it stert in a mire of a marys vp to the bely And Wyllyam waleys torned tho agayne and there slewe the forsayde bryan. & that was moche harme. ¶And that whyle kynge Edwarde wente thorugh Scotlonde / for to enquere yf he myght fynde ony of hys enmyes. And in that londe he dwelled / as longe as hym lyked / And there was no enmye that durst hym abyde. ¶And soone after Kynge Edwarde wente to Southampton for he wolde not abyde / in Scotlonde in wynter season / for esement of his people And whan he came to London / he lete amende many mysdedys that were done ayenst his peas and lawes he beynge in Flaundres.

¶Of y^e laste maryage of kȳge Edwarde / & howe he wente y^e thyrde tyme in to Scotlōde.

[Page lxviii]ANd after it was ordeyned thrughe the courte of Rome / that kynge Edwarde sholde wedde dame Margarete / that was kynge Phylyp syster of Fraunce. And the Arche­bysshop Robert of wynchelse spowsed them to gyders / thrugh the whiche Maryage there was made peas· bytwene kynge Edwarde of Englonde and kynge Phylyp of Fraunce. ¶Kynge Edwarde went tho the thyrde tyme in to Scotlonde & tho within the fyrste yere he had enfamyned the londe / so that he lefte not one that he ne came to hys mercye. sauf suche as were in the castell of Estreuelyn that welle were vytaylled and stored for .vii. yere.

¶How the castell of Estrefelyn was be seged and wonne.

Kynge Edward came to y^e castell of Estreuelyn with a huge power & beseged the castell / but it lytell auaylled. for he myhht doo the Scoctes no harme / for the castell was soo stronge & well kept. & kyng Edwarde sayde y^e & bethought hym vpon a queyntesy· and let ma­ke anon two payr of hygh galowes before the tour of the castell. & made his othe that as ma­ny as were within the castell. Notwithoutstandynge were he Erle of Baron / & he were take wyth strength but yf he wolde the rather hym yelde / he sholde be hangyd vpon the same ga­lowes. And whan tho that were within the castell herde this. they came & yelde them all to the kynges grace & mercy / & the kynge for yaf thē all his male talent & there were all the grete lordes of Sfotlonde swore to kynge Edwarde / that they sholde come to London to euery parlement & shode stonde to his ordynance.

¶How Troylebaston was fyrste ordened.

THe kynge Edwarde went thens to lon­don & wende to haue had rest & peas of hys warre in whiche werre he was occupyed .xx. yere. that is to saye in Gascoyne in walys & in Scotlonde / and thought how he myght re­couer hys tresour y^t he had spended aboute hys werre / & lette enquere thrugh the reame of alle the tyme that he had be oute of hys reame that men called Troylebaston and ordeyned therto Iustyces / and in thys manere he recouered tresoure without nombre: And hys purpose was for to haue goon in to the hooly londe / to haue werred vpon goddes enmyes by cause he was crossyd lōge tȳe before And neuertheles y^e law that he had ordeyned dyd moche good thrugh out all Englonde to them that were mysbode For tho y^e trespassed were well chastysed. and after more meke & better & y^e pore comyns were in reste and peas And the same tyme kynge Edwarde prysoned his owne sone Edwarde / by cause that Walter of Lanton bysshop of Chestre / that was the kynges tresorer had complayned on hym & sayd the forsayd Edwarde thrughe coūsell & entysynge of one Ganastō asquyre of Gascoyne had broke the parkꝭ of the forsayd bysshop. And thys Peers counselyd and ladde the same Edwarde and for that cause the kynge e [...]yled his sone out of Englonde.

¶Of the dethe of Wyllyam waleys the fals traytoure.

ANd whan thys kynge Edwarde had hys enemyes ouercome in walys Gascoyne and Scotlonde and dystroyed hys traytours / all but only that rybaude Wyllyam [...] les / that neuer the kynge wolde hym yelde and at the towne of saynt Dominyk. in the yere of kynge Edwarde regne .xxxiii. y^e fals traytour was take and presentyd to the kynge. But the kyng wolde not see hym / but sent hym to London to receyue his Iugement: and vpon saynt Barthylmewes eue was he hangyd and dra­we / & his hede smyte of & his bowelles take out of his body and brente & hys body quartered and sent vnto four of the best townes of Scotlonde / and hys heed put vpon a spere▪ and lete vpon London brydge. In ensample [...] the Scottes sholde haue in mynde for to do a mysse ayenst theyr lyege lorde eftsones.

¶How the Scottes came to kynge Edwarde for to amēde theyr trespasse that they had done ayenst hym.

ANd at Myghelmas tho nexe comyng kynge Edwarde helde hys parlament at westmestre / & thyder came y^e Scottes that is to saye the bysshop of saynt Andreas: Ro­berte the Brus erle of caryk. Symonde Fry­sell / Iohan the erle of Athell & they were accorded with the kynge and bounde by othe swore that they afterwarde yf ony of them mysbare them ayenst kynge Edwarde that they sholde be dysheryted for euermore. And whan theyr peas was thus made they toke theyr leue pry­uely / and wente home in to Scotlonde.

¶How Robert Brus chalēged Scotlonde.

SO after thys Robert the Brus erle of Caryk sent by hys letters to the erles & [Page] barons of Sotlonde that they sholde come to hym to Scone in the morowe after the Con­cepcion of our lady for grete nedys of the lon­de. And the lordes came at the daye assygned. And the same daye syr Robert the Brus sayd Fayre lordes fulle well ye knowe / y^t in my persone dwellyd the ryght of the reame of Scot­londe / & as ye wote well I am ryghtfull heyer Syth that syre Iohn̄ baylol y^t was our kynge vs hath forsake / & left his londe. And though it so be y^e kynge Edwarde of Englonde wyth wrongfull power hath made me to hym assent ayenst my wyll / yf that he wyll graunte that I may be kynge of Scotlonde I shal kepe you ayenst kynge Edwarde of englonde / & ayenst all manere men / & wyth y^e worde the abbot of Scon / arose vp / & before them all sayd / that yt was reason for to helpe hym & the londe to ke­pe & defēde. And tho sayd in presēce of thē all y^t he wolde gyue hym a .M. poūde for to mayntene y^e londe. & all the other graūted the londe to hym & wyth ther powre hym for to helpe / & defyed kyng Edward of Englonde. & sayd y^e Ro­bert Brus / sholde be kynge of Englonde.

¶How syr Iohn̄ of Comyn ayenst sayd the crownynge of syr Robert Brus.

LOrdynges sayd syr Iohan of Comyn. thynke on the truthe & othe ye made to kynge Edwarde of Englond & touchynge my self I wyll not breke myn oth for no man / & so he went from y^e company at y^e tyme. wherfore Robert y^e brus & all tho y^e to hym consēted we­re wroth / & menaced syr Iohn̄ of comyn Tho ordened they another coūseyll at Dumfrys to whyche came y^e for sayd syr Iohn̄ of Comyn / for he dwelled but two myle fro Dumfris. there he was wont to soiorne and abyde.

¶How syr Iohn̄ was tray­toursly slayne.

SO whan Roberte the Brus wyst that all the grete lordes were come of Scotlond to Scon / sauf syr Iohn̄ Comyn y^e so [...]ourned nyghe scon he sent specyally after the sayd syr Iohn̄ to come & speke with him. And vpon that he came & spake with hym at the grayfre­res in Dumfris & y^t was the thursday after Cā delmasseddy. & syr Iohn̄ graunted to go wyth hym. And whan he had herde masse / he toke a soope & dranke & after warde he bestrode hys palfroy & rode to Dumfris / whan Roberte the brus sawe hym come at a wyndow as he was in his chambre made Ioye ynoygh / & came a­yenst hym / & collyd hym about y^e necke / & ma­de with hym gode semblaūt. And whan all the erles & barons of Scotlonde were present Robert y^e Brus sayd syrs ye wote well y^e / cause of this comynge & wherfore it is. yf ye wyl graūt that Ibe kyng of scotlonde as ryght heyre of y^e londe. And all the lordes that were there sayd with one voys that h sholde be crownede kynge of Scotlond▪ and y^t they wolde hym helpe & mayntene ayenst all maner men on lyue / & for hym yf it were nede to deye / the gītyll knyght tho Iohn̄ of Comyn answerd certes neuer forme. ne for to haue of me asmoche helpe as the value of a baton. For that oth that I haue ma­de vnto kynge Edwarde of Englonde I shall holde whyle my lyfe woll laste. And with that worde he wente from the cōpany and wolde a lyght vpon his palfroy. and Roberte the Brus pursewed hym with a drawenswerde / & bare hym thrugh the body & syr Iohn̄ Comyn felle downe vnto the erth. But whan Roger y^t was syr Iohn̄ Comyns brother sawe the falsnesse. He stert to syr Robert the Brus & smote hym wyth a knyfe But y^e fals traytour was armyd vnder. so that y^e stroke myght do hym no har­me. and so moche helpe came aboute syre Ro­bert the Brus so y^e Robert Comyn was there slayne & all to hewen in to peces. & Robert the Brus torned ayen there y^t syr Iohn̄ Comyn y^e noble barō lay wounded. and pyned to warde his deth / besyde the hygh awter in the chyrche of the graey freres / & sayde vnto syr Iohan co­myn. O traytoure thou shalt be dede / & neuer after lete myn auauncement / & shoke his swerde at the hygh awter. and smote hym on his hede / that y^e brayne felle downe vpon the groūde. and the blood storte on hygh vpon the walles / and yet vnto thys daye is that blood seen there that no water maye wasshe it a waye. And so deyed that noble knyght in holy chyrche.

ANd whan thys traytoure Roberte the Brus sawe. that no man wold sete hys coronacyon / he cūmaūded all thē that were of power sholde come vnto hys crownynge to saynt Iohans towne in Scotlonde· And so it be fell vpon our lady daye the Annūcyacyon the bysshop of Glaston & the bysshop of saynt Andrewes crowned for ther kynge thys Roberte the Brus in saynt Iohans towne / & made him kynge And anone after he droue all thenglys­sshemen [Page lxix] out of Scotlonde. And they fledde. & came & compleyned them vnto kyng Edwarde / how that Robert y^e Brus had dryue them out of the londe / and dysheryted theym.

¶How that kynge Edwarde dubbyd at westmestre .xxiiii. score knyghtes.

ANd whan kyng Edwarde herd of this myschyef / he swore that he sholde be ouenged therof / and sayde / That alle the tray­tours of Scotlonde sholde be hangyd and drawen / and that they sholde neuer be raunson­ned. ¶And kynge Edwarde thought vppon this falsnesse that the Scottes had to hym done And sente after all the bachelers of Englonde / that they sholde come vnto London at wytsōtyde / & he dubbyd at westmestre .xxiiii. score knyghtes. ¶Them ordened the noble kynge Edwarde for to go in to Scotlonde / to werre vpon Robert the Brus / And sent before hym in to Scotlonde syr Aymer the valaunce erle of Penbroge. And syre Henry Perey baron with a fayre company / that pursewed y^e Scottes and brente townes and castels. And afterwarde came the kynge hymself with erles and barons a fayre companye.

¶How Robert Brus was dyscōfyted / in ba­tayll / & how Symonde fryselly was slayne.

THe Frydaye next before the Assumecyon of our lady kynge Edwarde mette Robert Brus besyde saynt Iohans towne in Scotlōde and with his companye / of the why­che company kyng Edwarde slewe .vii. thousande / whan Robert Brus sawe thys myscheyf he began to flee / and hydde hym that no mā myght hym fynde / But syr Symonde fryseld pursewed hym sore / so that he torned ayen & abode batayll / for he was a worthy knyght and a bolde of dody. And thenglysshmen pursewed euer sore in euery syde and slewe the stede that syr Symonde rode vpon / and they toke hym and ladde hym vnto the host. And syr Symonde began for to flatre and speke fayre / and say­de lordes I shall yeue you four thousand marke of syluer / myn hors / harneys and all myn armour / and become a begger. Tho answered Theobaude of Peuens that was the kynges archers. Now so god me helpe it is for nought that thou spekeste. For all the golde in Englonde I wolde. not lete the go with out commaun­dement of kynge Edwarde / & tho was he had vnto kyng Edwarde & the kyng wolde not se hym but cōmaunded to lede hym a waye / to haue his dome at London. and on our ladyes eue Natiuite he was hangyd and drewe & his heed smyte of. & hangyd ayen wyth cheynes of yern vpon the galowes. And his heed was sete vpō London brydge vpod a spere / and ayenst Cry­stemasse the bodye was brente by cause that the men / that kepte the body by nyght they sa­we so many deuyls rampyng wyth grete yren hokes renynge vpō the galowes and horryble tormented y^e body. & many y^t them saw anone after they deyed for drede / & some wexed mad [...] / fore syknes they had. & in that batayll was ta­ke y^e bysshop of Baston & the bysshop of saynt Andrewes / and the abbot of Scōne all armyd with yren as men of armes. as fals traytours and fals prelates ayenst theyr othe. And they were brought to the kynge and the kynge sente them vnto the pope of Rome. that he shold do with theym what his wyll were.

¶How Iohan therle of Alethes was taken and put to dethe.

ANd at that bataylle fledde syre Iohan erle of Alethes / and wente to a chyrche and there hydde hym for drede / but he myghte haue there noo refute for cause that the chyr­che was enterdyted thrugh generall senten­ce / and in the same chyrche he was taken. And this syr Iohan went well to haue scaped fro y^e deth / for cause y^t he claymed kynred of Kynge Edwarde. & the kynge wolde not lenger be bytrayed of his traytours but sent hym to London in hast. And there was hangyd & hys head smyten of & his body brent all to asshes. But at the prayer of the quene Margerete / for cause that he claymed of kynge Edward kynred his drawynge was for yeuen hym.

¶How Iohan that was Wyllyam waleys brother was put to dethe.

AS the grettest mayster of Scotlonde were thus doon to euyll deth & destroyed for theyr falsnesse. Iohan that was Wyllyam waleys brother was take & doon vnto de­the. as syr Iohan erle of Alethes was.

¶How Robert the Brus fledde from Scotlonde to Norway.

ANd at y^e same tyme was robert y^e / brus moche hated amonge the peple of scot­londe / so y^t he wyste not what he was best to do & for to hyde hym he wente to Norway to the kynge that had spowsyd his syster. & there hel­de [Page] hym socour for to haue. & Robert the Brus myght not be foūde in Scotlonde. Sokynge Edward tho lete crye hys peas thrught out all the londe / and his lawas were vsyd / & hys my­nystrys serued thrugh out all the londe.

¶How kynge Edwarde deyed.

SO as kynge Edwarde had abatyd hys enemys turned south warde. and syke­ned atte Burgh vpon sande in the marche of Scotlonde. and callyd to hym Henry Lacy erle of Nichell. syr guy erle of warwyk. syr Ayl­mer erle of Penbroke / and syr Robert of Clyfforde baron and prayed theim vpon the fayth that they hym oughte / that they sholde make Edwarde of Carnaruan kynge of Englonde assone as they myght. And that they shold not suffre Peers of Ganaston come agayne in to Englonde / for to make hys sone to ryot / and they graunted hym with good wyll. And the kynge toke hys sacramente of hooly chyrche as a good Crysten man sholde. and deyed in repentaunce And whan he hadde ben kynge .xxxv. yere he deyed / and was buryed at west­mestre with moche solempnyte / Vpon whose soule god haue mercy.

¶Of Merlyns prophecyes that were declared of kynge Edwarde. That was kynge Henrys sone.

OF this kyng Edward prophecyce Merlyn / and called hym a dragon the seconde of the .vi. kynges that sholde regne in Englonde and sayd / that he sholde be medled with mercy / and also with strenthe and fyernesse. That sholde kepe Englonde frome colde and hete. And that he sholde opene hys mouthe to­warde walys and that he sholde sette his foot in wyk and that he sholde close with walwes / that sholde doo moche harme to his sede. And he sayde sothe. For the good kynge Edwarde was medled with mercye and with fyernesse / with mercy ayenst his enmyes of walys / and after of Scotlonde with fyernesse / whan he put them to dethe for ther falsnesse / and tray­tourily as they hadde deserued. And welle ke­ped he Englond frome colde and heet / sythe he kepte it frome alle manere of enmyes that ranne vppon hym to doo hym ony wronge. ¶And welle he opened his mouthe to warde walys / and made it quake thrughe hydour of hys mouthe / whan he conqueryd it thruoghe dynte of swerde. For the prynce Lewelyn and Dauyd hys brother. Ris and Morgan. were put to dethe thrughe theyr falsnesse and theyr foly / And he sette hys foot in to wyk / and con­quered Berwyk at the whiche conquest were slayne .xxv. thousande and .vii. hondred / out take suche as were brente in the redde halle. ¶And the walles y^t he lete make shall be noy­ous / vnto his sede. As men shall here after in­the lyf of syre Edwarde of Carnaruan hys sone. And yet sayd Merlyn that he sholde make ryuers ren in blood & wyth brayne. & y^e semyd well in hys warres there as he had y^e maystry And yet Merlyn sayd y^t ther sholde come a people out of y^e nortwest durynge the regne of the forsayd dragon y^t shold be ladde by an yll greyhoūde / y^t shold the dragon crowne kynge. that afterward sholde fle ouer y^e see for drede of the dragon without comynge ayen. & that was proued by syr Iohn̄ Baylol y^e kynge Edwarde made to be kynge of Scotlonde. y^e falsly aroyse a­yenst hym▪ & after he fled to his owne londes of Fraūce / & neuer he came ayen in to Scotlond for drede of kyng Edward: And yet sayd Merly: that peple y^t shold lede y^e sayd greyhoūd sholde be faderles vnto a certayne tyme soth he sa­yd. For the peple of Scotlonde gretly were dysesyd after syr Iohan baylol was fled. And merlyn sayd the sone shold become in hys tyme as redde as ony blood in tokenynge of grete mor­talyte of people And that was knowe wel whā the Scottes were slayne. And syth sayd Mer­lyn / y^e same dragon shold nouryshe a Fox. that sholde meue grete werre ayenst hym / y^t sholde not in hys tyme be ended / and that semed well by Robert the Brus. that kynge Edwarde nourysshed in hys chambre that sythen stale a way & meued grett werre ayenst hym / whiche wer­re was not ended in his tyme And yet sayd merlyn that the dragon sholde deye in y^e marche of an other londe / & that hys londe sholde be long without a good keper. And that men shold were for his dethe from the yle of Shephey vnto the yle of Mercyll / wherfore alas shall be ther songe amonge the comyn people faderles in the londe wastyd And that prophecie was knowe ouer all full well. For the good Kynge Ed­warde deyed at Burgh vp sandys / that is vpon the Marche of Scotlonde the englyssmen were dysc [...]mferced and sorowed in Northumberlonde / For cause that kynge Edwardes sone sete by the Scottes no force. for the ryot of [Page lxx] Peers of Ganaston / wherfore alas was the songe thrugh out all Englond / for defawte of theyr good wardeyne from y^e yle of Shephey vnto the yle of Mercyll / the people made moche sorowe for good kynge Edwardes / dethe. ¶For they wende that good kynge Edwarde sholde haue gone in to the holy londe / For that was holy his purpoos. ¶Vpon whoos soule god for his hygh & Inginyte grace haue mercy

¶Of kynge Edwarde that was kynge edwardes sone.

ANd after this kyng Edwarde regned Edwarde his sone / that was borne att Carnriuan / and thys Edwarde wente hym in tho Fraunce. and there he spowsyd Isabell the kynges doughter of fraunce. the .xxv. daye. of Ianuari at the chyrche of our Lady at Boloyne in the yere of our lorde Ihū Cryste .M. CCC vii. And the .xx. day of Feuerer the nexte yere that came after / he was crownyd solemply att westmestre of the Archebysshop of Caunterbury. And there was soo grete presse of peo­ple. that syre Iohan Bakwell was slayne and murdred. And anone as the good kynge Edwarde was deed. syr Edwarde hys sone kyng of englonde. sent after Pers Ganaston in to Gascoyne / & so moche louyd hym / y^t he callyd hym brother. & anone after he yaue vnto hym the lordshyp of walyngforde. And it was not longe after y^t he yaue hym therldom of Corne­waylle ayenst the lordes wyll of englonde. [Page] ¶And tho brought syr walter of langton bysshop of Chestre in to pryson & duraūce. in the toure of London. wyth two knaues alonely hym to serue. For the kynge was wrothe wyth hym / fore by cause that syre water made com­playnt on hym to hys fader / wherfore he was put in pryson in the tyme of Troylebaston. & the for sayde Pers of Ganaston made so grete maystreys. that he wente in to the kynges tre­sory in y^e abbay of westmestre / & toke the table of golde with y^e trestls of y^e same & many other ryche Iewels / y^t somtyme were the noble and good kyng Arthurs / & toke thē to a marchaūt that was called ameri of Friscōbande / for he sholde bere them ouer y^e see in to Gascoyne. & so he went thens & they came neuer ayen after wherfore it was a grete losse to this londe And whan this Pers was rychely auaūsyd / he be­came so proude & so stowte. wherfore all y^e grete lordes of the reame had hym īdyspyte for his grete berynge / wherfore syr Henry Lacy erle of Nicholl. & syr Guy erle of warwyk y^e why­che grete lordes / the good kynge Edwarde syr Edwardes fader kyng of Englonde / chargyd that Pers of Ganaston sholde not come in to Englonde for to brynge his sone Edwarde in to ryot. And all the lordes of Englonde assembled them a certayn day att the frere prechers at London: And there they spake / of the dyshonour y^e kynge Edwarde. dyde to hys reame & to his crowne and so they assentyd alle / bothe erles and barons / and all the comyns that the for sayd Peers of Ganaston sholde be exyled out of Englonde for euer more / and so it was done / For he for swore Englonde and went in to Irlonde / and there the kyng made hym cheyfteyne / & gouernour of the londe by hys commyscyon. And there this Pers was cheyftey­ne of all the londe / And dyd there all that hym lykyd▪ and hadde power what he wolde / and that tyme wer the templers exyled thrugh all cristiantee. for by cause that myn put vppon theym / that they sholde do thynges ayenst the fayth and good byleue. Kyng Edwarde louyd Peers of Ganaston so moche / that he myght not for bere his cōpany. And so moche the kynge yaue & behyght to the people of Englonde / that the exylyge of the forsayd Peers shold be reuokyd atte Stamforde / thrugh them y^t hym had exyled / wherfore Pers of Ganaston cam ayen into Englond / And whan he was come ayen in to his londe he dyspysed y^e grettest lor­des of this londe / And called syr Robert Cla­re Erle of Gloucetre horesone. And the Erle of Nycholl syr Henry Lacy brustenbely / and syr Guy Erle of warwyk the blacke hound of Arderne: And also he callyd y^e noble erle Tho­mas of Lancastre churle. / & many other scor­nes and shamys them sayde / and many other grete lordes of Inglonde / wherfore they we­re to warde hym full angry and wroth & ryght sore anoyed. And in the same tyme deyed the Erle of Nycholl. But he chargyed or y^t he was deed / Thomas of Lancastre Erle that was his sone in lawe that he sholde mayntene hys quarell ayenst this same Peers of Ganaston vpon his blessynge. ¶And so it befell thorugh helpe of the erle Thomas of Lancastre and all so of the Erle of warwyk that the forsayd syr Peers was heeded att gauersich besyde war­wyk in the .xx. day of Iune. in the yere of gra­ce .M.CCC. and .xii. wherfore the kyng was sore anoyed / and prayed god that he myght se that daye to be auenged / vpon the deth of the forsayde Peers. ¶And so it befell afterwarde as ye shall here Alas y^e tyme. For the forsayd Erle of Lancastre & many other grete barons were put to a pyteous dethe. and martred for by cause of the forsayde quarell. The kynge was to att London. And helde a parleament and ordeyned the lawes of Symonde Mountforde / wherfore the erle of Lancastre / and the Erles and alle clergye of Englonde. made an othe thrugh counseyll of Robert of wynchelse for to mayntene the ordynauntes for euer.

¶How Robert Brus came ayē in to Scotlonde and gadryd a grete power of / men for to werre vpon kynge Edwarde.

ANd whan syre Robert the Brus that made hym kynge of Scotlonde / that before was fledde in to Norway for drede of deth of the good kynge Edwarde. And also he herde of the debate that tho was in englond bytwene the kynhe & his lordys. he ordeyned an hoste & came in to Inglonde in to Northum­berlonde / and clene dystroyed the countree. ¶And whan kynge Edwarde herde this ty­ynges he lete assemble hys hoste and mette the Scottes at Edstreyelyn in the daye of the Natiuite of saynt Iohan Baptyst in the thyrde yere of his regne / & in the yere of oure lorde .M.CCC. & .xiiii. Alas the sorowe & losse that ther [Page lxxi] was done. For there was slayne the noble Erle Gylbert of clare syr Robert Clefford baron and the kynge Edwarde was scomfyted and Edmonde of maule y^e kynges Stewarde for drede wente & drowned hymself in a fresshe ryuer that is called Bannokysborne wherfore they sayd in repreyf of kynge Edwarde for asmoche as he louyd to go by water & also for he was dyscomfyted at Bānosborne / therfore y^e maydens made a songe therof in y^e countree of kynge Edwarde▪ and in this manere they sōge Maydēs of Englonde sore may ye morne / for tyȝt haue lost your lēmans at bānokysborne / with heuelogh. what wenyth the kyng of Englonde to haue gote Scotlond with rombylogh.

AS kynge Edmonde was dyscomfyted wōder sore and faste he fledde with his folke that were left aliue & wēt vnto Berwyk / & there helde hym. & after he toke hostages .ii. chyldern of the rychesse of the towne. And the kynge went to London. & toke coūseyl of thynges that were nedefull to y^e reame of Englōde ¶And in y^e same tyme it befel / that tho was in Englonde a rybaude. that was called Iohan Tāner. And he yede & sayd that he was y^e good kynge Edwardes sone and lete hem calle Ed­warde of Carnariuā. And therfore he was take at Oxforde / And there he chalēged frere carmes / chyrche that kyng Edwarde hadde yeue them whiche was the kynges halle. And afterwarde was thys Iohan ladde to Northampton / & drawen & hangyd for his falsnesse & or y^t he was deed he confessyd & sayd before all tho that were there. that the deuyll beyhyght hym that he sholde be kynge of Englonde & that he had serued the deuyll thre yere.

¶How the towne of Berwyk was take thrugh treason / and how two Cardynales were robbyd in Englonde.

ANd on mydlente Sondaye. in the yere of our lorde .M.CCC.xvi. Berwyke was loste thorugh false treson of oon Pers of Spaldynge. the whyche Pers the kynge had put there. For to helpe that same towne with many burgeyses of the same towne / wherfore the chyldren that were put in hostage thrughe the burgeyses of Berwyk folowed the kynges march [...]se many dayes fettred in strōge yrens And after y^e tyme two Cardynalles in to Englonde / as the pope had theym sence for to ma­kepe as bytwene Englonde and Scotlonde. And as they wente to warde Durham / for to haue sacred mayster Lowys of Beamont bys­shop of Durham they were take & robbed vp­on the moore of wynglesdom / Of whiche robbery syr Gylbert of mytton was atteynt & ta­ke and hangyd & drawen at Lōdon & his heed smytte of. & put vpon a spere / & set vpon newe gate / & the foure quarters sent / to foure cytees of Englonde. and that same tyme befell many myscheues in Englonde / for the poore people deyed in Englonde for hungre / and so moche and so faste deyed. that vnethe mē myght bury them For a quarter of whete was at .xl. shelynges▪ and two yeres & an half a quarter of whe­re was worth .x. marck· and of tyme the poore people stole chyldern and ete them / & ete also y^e hoūdes that they myghte take: & also hors and cattes And after there fell a grete myrreyne amonge bestes in dyuers countrees of englōde durynge kynge Edwarde lyues tyme.

¶How y^e Scottes robbyd Notūberlonde.

ANd in the same tyme came the Scottes ayen in to Englonde and dystroyed Northumberlonde / and brē [...]t and that londe / and robbyd it / and slewe mē wymmen & chyl­dren that laye in there cradyls / & brent also ho­ly chyrche / and destroyed crystendome / & toke & bare Englysshe mennys godes as they had ben sarasyns / or paynems. And of the wyckydnesse that they dyde / all the worlde spake of it.

¶How the Scottes wolde not a mende theyr trespasse. and therfore Scotlonde was enterdyted.

SO pope Iohan the .xxii. after saynt Pe­tir herde of the grete sorowe and m [...]che y [...] that the Scottes wrought he was wonder sorye / that crystendome was so dystroyed thrughe the Scottes / & namely they destroyed so [...] holy chyrches wherfore the pope sente a gene­rall sentence vnder his bulles of l [...]ed vnto the Archebysshop of Caunterbury. And to thar­chebysshoppe of yorke that yf Robert y^e Brus of Scotlonde wolde not be Iustyfyed & make amendes vnto the kynge of Englonde Edwarde theyr lorde / & make amendes of hys losse / & of his harmes that they / had doon in Englonde. And also restore the goodes that they had taked of holy chyrche / that the sentence shold be pronouncyd thorughe out alle Englonde. And whan the Scottes herde this / they wolde not leue theyr malyce / for the popes commaundemente [Page] wherfore Roberte the Brus. Iamys Douglas and Thomas Radulf erle of Moref and all tho that with theym comyned or them helpe in worde or dede were accursyd in euery chirche thrugh out all Englonde euery day at masse .iii. tymes And no masse shold be songe in holy chyrche thrugh out all Soctlonde but yf the Scottes wolde make restitucyon of the harmes that they hadde made vnto holy chyrche wherfore many a good prest and holy men therfore were slayne thrugh y^e reame of Scot­londe / bycause they wolde not synge masse a­yenst y^e popys cōmaundemet & ayenst his wyll and to do & fulfyll the tyrauntes wyll.

¶How syre Hughe Spensers sone was made the kynges chamberlayne. And of the bataylle of Mitone.

ANd it was not longe after warde / that the kynge ordeyned a parlemente atte yorke / And there was syr / Spensers sone made Chambrelayne. And the meane tyme why­le the werre lasted / the kynge wente ayen in to Scotlonde / that it was wonder for to wytte & beseged the towne of Berwyk / but the scottes wente ouer the water at Sole wath. that was thre myle frome the kynges hoste and pryuely they stole a way by nyght / & came in to Englō ­de / & robbyd & dystroyed all that they myght / and sparde no manere thynge tyll that they came vnto yorke / & whan the englysshmen that were left at home / herde thyse tydīges / all tho that myghte traueyll / as well monkꝭ / prestes freres / chanons / & seculers came & mette wyth the Scotes at Myton vp swale the .xii. day of Octobre. Alas for sorowe / for the Englysshe husbonde men that coude no thynge of y^t werre kyllyd & drowned in an arme of the see And the cheyftyenes syre wyllyam of Melton Ar­che bysshop of yorke & the abbot of selby wyth there stedes fledde / & came to yorke / and that was theyr owne foly / that they had that mys­chaunce. For they passed the water of Swale. And the Scottes sette a fyre the sta [...]kes of hey and the smote ther of was so huge / that y^e En­glysshmen myght not se y^e Scottes. And whā the englisshmen were gone ouer the water tho came y^e Scottes wyth theyr wynge in maner of a shelde / and came to warde the Englyssmē in araye. And the Englysshemen fledde. For [...]neth they hadde ony men of armys. For the kynge hadde them almoost lost at the syege of Berwyk / and the Scottes hobylers went bytwene the brydge and the Englysshmen / And whan the grete host them mett / the englysshemen fled bytwene the hobylers & the gret ho­ste. And the Englysshmen almoost were there slayne / & he that myght go ouer the water we­re saued / But many were drowned. Alas for there were slayne / many men of relygyon / se­culers preestes & clerkes / with moche sorowe tharchebysshop escaped. & therfore the Scot­tes callyd that batayll the whyte batayll.

¶How kynge Edwarde dyde alle manere thynge that syr Hugh Spenser wolde·

NOw as kynge Edwarde herde this tydynges he remeued his sege from Berwyk & came agayn into Englond. But Syr Hugh Spenser that was the kynges Cham­berlayne. kept so the kynges chambre. that no mā myghte speke with the kynge. But he had made with hym a fret for to do alle his nede. & that ouer mesure. And this Hugh bare hym so stowte that all men had of hym scorne and dyspyte. and the kynge hymself wolde not be go­uerned / ne rulyd by no manere of man but only by his fader & by hym. And yf ony knyghte of englonde hadde wodes maneyrs or londes that they wolde coueyte anone the Kyng must yeue it them or elles the man that ought it. sholde be falsly endyted of forfeyt or felony. And thrugh suche doynge they dysheryted many a bachelere / and so moche londe he gate that it was grete wonder and whan the lordes of enlonde sawe the grete couetyse & falsnesse of syr Hugh Spenser the fader & of syr Hugh the sone / they come to the gentyll erle of lancastre / & axyd hym of counseyll of the dysese. that was in the reame / though syr Hugh Spenser & his sone. & in hast by one assente they made pryue assēble. at shirburne [...] Elmede & they made there an othe for to breke & dystouble y^e doinge bytwene the kynge and syr Hugh Spenser and his sone vpon theyr power. And they went in to the marche of walys. and dystroyed the lon­de of the forsayd syr hughes.

¶How syr hugh Spenser and his fader were exyled out of Englonde·

SO whan kyng Edwarde sawe y^e grete harme and dystruccyō that tho Barōs of Englonde dyde vnto syre hugh Spensers londe. and to his sone in euery place that they came vpon the kynge tho thrugh hys counseyl [Page lxxii] yll exyled syr Monbraye. syr Roger Clyfforde & syr Gosselyn Dauyll. & many other lordes y^t were to theym consente / wherfore the barons dyde tho more harme than they dyde before / & whā the kynge sawe that y^e barons wolde not sesse of theyr cruelte / the kyng was sore adradde lest they wolde dystroy hym & his reame for his mayntenaūce / but yf he assented to them. And so he sente for thē by hys letters that they sholde come to London to hys parlement at a certaine daye as in his letters were conteyned & they came with thre bataylles / well Armyd at al poyntes. & euery batayl had cotarmours of grete clothe. And therof the ryght quarter was yelowe. wyth whyte bendes / wherfore y^e parlemente was callyd the parlement of the whyte bende. And in y^e company was syr Hunfrey de bohoune erle of Herford & syre Roger Clyfforde. syr Iohan Monbray. syr Glosselyn Dauyll. syr Roger Mortymer vncle of syr Roger mortymer of wygmore. syr Henry of Tra­ys syr Iohn̄ Gyffarde & syre Barthylmewe of Badelessemore that was y^e kynges stewarde. y^t the kynge had sente to Shyrborne in Elmede to y^e erle of Lācastre / and to all y^t with hym were for to trete of accorde / y^e hym alyed to the barons / & came with that company. & sur Roger Dammory & syr Hugh dandale y^t had spousyd the kynges neces syster. & syr Gylbert of clare erle of Gloucetre y^t was slayne in Scotlonde as before is sayd. And tho two lordes had tho two partyes of the erldom of Gloucerte. & sur Hugh Spenser had thyrde party in his wyues half / the thyrde syster and tho two lordes wen­te to the barons wyth all theyr power ayenst syr Hugh theyr brother in lawe. And so there came wyth them syr Robert Clyfforde syr Iohan Mōbray. syr Goselyn Dauyll. syr Roger Mortymer of werk. syr Roger Mortymer of wykmore his neuewe. syr Henry Trays syre Iohā Gyffarde. syr Barthylmewe of Bardesmore. with all theyr cōpany. and many other / that to them were consent. all the grete lordes came vnto westmestre to y^e kynges parlemen­te. And so they spake & dyde. that bothe syr Hughe Spēser the fader & also the sone / were out lauwed of englonde for euermore And soo syre Hugh the fader wente vnto Douer and made moche sorowe / & fell downe vpon the grounde by the see banke. a crosse wyth his armes / and sore wepynge sayd Now fayr Englonde and good Englonde to almyghty god I the betake And thryes kyssed the grounde and wenyd neuer to haue come ayen· And wepynge cursyd y^e tyme that euer he begate syr Hugh his sone. & sayd for hym he had lost all Englond. And tho in presence of thē all that were aboute hym yaue hym his cursee & went ouer see to his londes But Hugh the sone wolde not go out of Eng­londe / but helde hym in the see. and his compa­ny robbyd .ii. dromedores besyde Sandwyth and toke and bare a waye alle the godoes that was in them to the value of .lx.M.li.

¶How the Kynge exyled erle Thomas of Lancastre and alle that helde with hym and how the Mortymer came and yelded hym to the kynge / & of all the lordes.

IT was not longe after that the kynge made syr Hugh Spenser the fader / & syr Hugh the sone / come ayen in to Englond ayenste the lordes wyll of the reame. And soone af­ter the kynge with a strōge power came and beseged the castel of Ledys. and in the castel was y^e laby of Bladelesmore for cause that she wold not graunt that castell to the quene Isabel kinge Edwardes wyfe but the pryncypall cause was / for syr Berthylmewe was ayenst y^e kynge / and helde with the lordes of Englōde. & neuertheles the kynge by helpe & socoure of men of London / & also of helpe of Southeren men gate the castel maugre of them all y^t were with in / and toke with them al that they myght fynde. And whan the barons of Englonde herde these tidynges / syr Roger Mortymer & many other lordes toke the towne of Brugge wroth wyth strenth. wherfore the kyng was wonder wrothe / and lete outlawe Thomas of Lancas­tre / and Vmfroy de Bohoune erle of Herfor­de and alle tho that were assentynge to the sa­me quarel. And the kyng assēbled an huge host and came ayenst the lordes of Englond wherfore the Mortymers put them in the kynges grace. And anone they were sente to the toure of London and there kept in pryson. And whā the barons herd thys thyng they came to poutfert there that y^e erle Thomas soiourned and tolde hym how that Mortymers both had yelde them to the kynge. & put them in hys grace.

¶Of the syege of Tykhyll.

SO whan Thomas Erle of Lancastre herde thys he was wonder wrothe & all that were of there company & greatly they were [Page] dyscomfyted / & ordeyned there power togy­der. and besyeged the castell of Tykhyll / But tho that were wyth in manly defended them / that the barnos myght not gete the castel. and whan the kyng herde y^t his castell was beseged he swore by god & by his names. that the lege sholde be remeued. & assembled an huge power of people / & wente theder ward to rescowe the castell. & his power encresyd fro daye to daye. whan the erle of Lancastre & the erle of Herforde & the barons of there cōpany herde of thys thynge they assembled all theyr power & wente them to Burton vpon trent & kept the brydge that the kyng shold not passe ouer▪ but it befell so on the tenthe daye of Marche in the yere of grace .M.CCC.xxi. the kyng & the Spensers syr Aymer Valaunce erle of Penbroke / & Io­han erle of Araundell & theyr power wente o­uer the water & dyscomfyted therle Thomas and his company· And they fled to the castell of Tetbury & from thens they went to Pountfret. And in that [...]yage deyed syr Roger Dau­more in thabbay of Thebury. And in that sa­me tyme the erle thomas had a traytour wyth hyme y^t was callyd Robert Holonde knyght. that the erle had brought vp of nought / & had nourysshed hym ī hys butrye. & had yeue hym a thousāde marke of londe by yere. And so moche the erle louyd hym that he myght do in the erles court all that hym lyked bothe amonge them hyghe & lowe / and so craftly the theyf bare hym ayenste his lorde / that he trustyd more vpon hym than ony man on lyue. and the erle had ordeyned by his letters for to goo in to the erledome of Lancastre / to make men aryse to kepe hym in that vyage / That is to saye .v. hū dred men of armys. But the fals traytour ca­me not there: no manere men for to warne ne for to make arayse to helpe his lord. And whan that the fals traytour herde tell y^t hys lord was dycomfyted at Burton vpon Trent. as a fals traytour theyf. stele a way & robbyd in Rauēs­dele his lordes men that came fro the scomfy­ture. And toke of them hors & harneys / and al that they had & slewe of them all that they my­ghte take / & came & yeldyd hym to the kynge. ¶whan the good erle Thomas wyste that he was so bytrayed. He was so abasshed / & sayde to hymself / O almyghty good how myght Robert Holonde fynde in hys herteme to betray / sythe that I louyd hym so moche O god well maye nowe a man se by hym y^t no man maye dysceyue a nother rathar than he y^t he trustyth moost vpon. He hath full euyll yelded me my goodnes & the worshyp y^t I haue to hym done and thrugh my kyndnesse haue hym auaūcyd & made hym hyghe where y^t he was lowe. And he makyth me go from hyghe vnto lowe / but yet shall he deye an euyll dethe.

¶Of the scomfyture of Brurbrygge.

THe good Erle Thomas of Lancaste. Humfroy de Bohoune ele of Herford and the barons y^t with theym were toke counsell bytwene them at y^e frre prechers in Poūtfret. tho thought Thomas vpon the traytour Roberte Holonde. And sayde in repreyf / Alas Robert Holonde hath me betrayed / and is the red of some euyll shred. And by the comyn as­sent they sholde goo to the castell of Dunstan­brughe / the whiche perteyned to therldome of Lancastre / & y^t they sholde abyde ther tyll that the kynge had for yeue them his male talente. ¶But whan the good erle Thomas this her­de / he answered in this manere & sayd. Lordes sayd he / yf we go to wade the North / the Northen men woll saye that we go to warde y^e scot­tes / so we shall be holden traytours / for cause of dystaūce that is bytwene kynge Edwarde & Robert y^e Brus that made hym kynge of Scotlonde. And therfore I say as touchyng my self that I wyll not go no ferder into the Northe / than to myn owne castell at Poūtfret. ¶And whan syre Roger Clyfford herde this he arose vp anone in wrathe. and drawe his swerde on hye / & swore by god almyghty & by his holy names / but yf y^t he wolde go with them / he sholde hym slee there. the noble and gentyll erle Thomas of Lancastre was sore a ferde & sayd. Fayr▪ syres I wyll go with you whether some euer ye me bydde. Tho went they togyder in to the North / & wyth them they hadde .vii.C. men of armys came to Burbryg. And whan syr Andrew of Herkela that was in the north countre thrugh ordynaūce of the kynge. For to kepe y^e countree of Scotlonde / herde tell. how y^t Thomas of Lancastre was scomfyted & hys com­pany at Burton vpon trent / he ordened hym a stronge power / and syr symonde warde also that was the shyref of yorke / and mette the ba­rons at burburgge. and anone they brake the brydge that was made of tree ¶And whan syr Thomas of Lancastre. herde y^e syr Andrewe [Page lxxiii] of Herkela had broughte wyth hym suche a power he was sore adradde. & sente for syr An­drewe of herkela / wyth hym spake. & sayde to hym in thys manere syr Andrewe sayde he. ye may wel vnderstōde that our lorde y^e kyng. is ladde and mysgouerned by moche fals counsel thrugh syr Hugh Spenser the fader & syr Hu­ghe is sone: syr Iohan erle of Arūdel / & thrugh mayster Robert Baldok a fals pylled clerke. y^t now is in the kynges courte dwellynge wher­fore I praye you that ye wyll come wyth vs with alle youre power that ye haue ordeyned / & helpe to dystroie the venym of Englond. and y^e traytours that ben therin. & we wyll yeue vnto you all the best parte of fyue Erldoms / that we haue & holde. & we wyll make vnto you an othe. that we wyll neuer doo thynge wythout your counsell / & soo ye shalbe left as well with as euer was Robert Holande Tho answered syr Andrew of Herkela & sayd syr Thomas y^t wolde not I do ne consent therto for no manere thynge wythout the wyll & cōmaundement of lorde the kynge / for them shold I be holden a traytour for euermore. And whan that y^e noble erle Thomas of Lācastre sawe that he wolde not consent to hym for no maner thyng syr Andrew he sayd wyll ye not consent to dystroy the venym of the reame as we be consente at one worde syr Andrewe I tel the that are this yere begoō / that ye shall▪ be take and holde for a traytour. and more than ony of you hold vs now / & in worse dethe ye shall deye than euer dyde ony knyght of Englonde. And vnderstonde wel / that ye dyd neuer thynge That sorer ye shall you repente. And now go and doo what you good lykyth / & I wyll put me in to the mercy of god. And so went the fals traytour tyraū ce a fals forsworne man For thrugh the noble erle Thomas of Lancastre he receyued the ar­mys of Chyualrye / and thrughe hym he was made a knyght. Tho myghte men se archers drawe them in that one syde and in that other and knyghtes also. And foughte tho togyder wonder sore. And also amonge all other Humfroy de Boughon Erle of Herforde a worthy knyght of renoune thrugh out all crystendom stode a fought with his enmyes vppon y^e brydge. and as the noble lord stode & foughte vpon the brydge a theyf rybaude sculkyd vnder the brydge / & fyersly with a spere. smote the noble knyght in to y^e fūdement / so y^t his bowellys came out aboute his fete ther. Alas for sorowe & pyte. For there was slayne the floure of solace & of comforth / & also of curteysye. ¶And Syr Roger Clyfforde a noble & a worthy knyghte stode euer & fought / and well & worthyly hym defended as a noble baron. But at the last he was sore woundyd in his heed / And syr Wyllyam of Sullaynde. & syr Roger of Benfeelde were slayne at that batayll. whan syr Andre­we of Herkela sawe that syr thomas mē of Lā castre / lassed & slakyd. anone he and hys com­pany came vnto the gentyll knyght syr Tho­mas & layd vnto hym in an hyghe voyce yelde the traytour yelde the. The gentyll erle Tho­mas of Lancastre answered thenne and sayde Nay lordes traitours we ben none and to you we wyll neuer vs yelde whyle that oure lyues last But leuer we had to be slayne in our thruth than yelde vs vnto you. And syre Andrewe [...] en gardyd vppon syr Thomas and hys com­pany / yellynge and cryenge lyke a wode wulf yelde you traytours taken yelde you / and say­de wyth an hyghe voys Beware syres y^t none of you be so hardy vpon lyf and lymme to mys do Thomas body of Lācastre / And wyth that worde the good erle Thomas yede into the castell / & sayd knelynge vpon hys knees and tor­ned hys vysage to warde the crosse and sayd almyghty god to the I yelde / & holy I put me vnto thy mercy. and wyth that the vylaynes and rybaudes lept aboute hym on euery syde as tyraūtes & wood tormentours & dyspoyled hym of his armoure & clothed hym in a [...]obe of ray [...] that was of his squyres lyuetay [...] and forth ladde hym unto yorke by water. Tho myght men see moche sorowe & care For the gentyl knyghtes sledde on euery syde & y^e rybaudes and the vyllayns egerly. them dyscryed / and cryed on hyghe yelde traytours yelde you. And whan they were yelden they were robbyd & bounden as theuys. Alas the shame and dyspyte that the gentyll orde of knyghthode had there at that batayll. And the londe was tho without lawe For holy chyrche had tho nomore creuereence than it had be a burdell hous / And in that ba­tyall was the fader ayenst the sone [...] and the vncle ayenst the neuewe. For so moche vnkyndenesse / was neuer seen before in Englonde / as that tyme amonge folkes of one nacyon. For one kynred had noo more pyte of that other. than an hungry wulf hathe of a shepe / And it [Page] was no wonder. For the grete lordes of Eng­londe were not alle of one nacyon / But were medlyd with other nacōns / That is for to say some / Brytons / some Saxons / some Danys / some Pehypes / some Frenssemen / some Nor­mans / some Spanyerdes / some Romayns / some Henaude some Flemynges and other dyuers nacyons the whyche nacyons accordyd not to the kynde blood of Englonde. And yf soo grete lordes had be oonly weddyd to En­glysshe people. Thenne sholde peas haue ben and reste amonge theym without ony enuye. And at that batayll was Roger Clyfforde ta­ke. syr Iohn̄ Mombray syr wyllyam Tuchy [...] Syr wyllyam fitz wyllyam / and many other worthy knyghtes there take at that batayll & Syr Hugh Dandell nette daye after was ta­ken and put in to pryson / and sholde haue be doon to dethe yf he hadde not spousyd the kynges nece / that was Erle Gylbertes syster of Gloucestre [...] and anon after was syr Berthylmewe of Badelesmore taken at Stow parke a maneyr of the bysshop of Lyncoln that was his neuewe & many other barons and baro­netters. wherfore was made moche sorowe.

¶How Thomas of Lancastre was heedyd at Pountfret / and .v. barons hangyd and drawen there

ANd now I shall tell you of the noble erle Thomas of Lancastre. wha he was take & brought to yorke / many of the cyte we­re full glade and vpon hym cryed with an hyght voys O syr traytour ye be welcome. bles­syd be god for now ye shall haue the rewarde / that longe ye haue deserued. And caste vppon hym many snowe balles / & many other repre­ues they dyd hym. But the gentyll erle all suf­fred / & sayd nother o worde nor other. ¶And at the same tyme y^e kyng herde of thys scōfyture / & was ful glad & Ioyous / & in grete hast came to Poūtfret. And syr Hugh Spenser. and syr Hugh his sone / & syr Iohn̄ erle of Arundell and syr Edmonde of wodestoke y^e kynges brother erle of Kent. & syr Aymer of valaunce erle of Penbroke and mayster Robert Baldoke. a fals pyllyd clerke / that was pryue / and dwel­led in the kynges court / & all came theder wyth the kynge. And the kyng entryd in to the castel and Syr Andrewe of Herkela a fals tyraunte thrugh the kynges cōmaundement. toke wyth hym the gentyll Erle. Thomas to Pountfret and there he was prysoned in his owne castell that he had newe made that stode ayenste the abbaye of kynge Edwarde. ¶And syr Hugh Spenser the fader & the sone cast and thought how & in what maner the good erle Thomas of Lancastre sholde be deed / wythoute Iuge­ment of hys perys. wherfore it was ordeyned thrugh the kynges Iusticus that the kyng sholde put vpon hym poyntes of treason. And so it befell that he was ledde to barre before the kynges Iustices bare heed as a theyf / in a fayre halle in his owne castell y^t he had made ther in many a fayre feste. both to ryche & to poore. ¶And these where is Iustices syr Hugh Spē ser the fader. & Aymer of Balaunce erle of Pē broke / syr Edmonde of wodstok erle of Kent / syr Iohan of Brytayne erle of Rychemonde / & syr Robert Malemethrop Iustyce and syre Roberte hym a couplyd in this manere. ¶Tho­mas court excludeth you of all maner answer Thomas our lorde the kynge / puttyth vppon you▪ that ye haue in hys londe ryden wyth ba­ner dysplayed ayenst his peas. as a traytour. ¶And with y^e worde the gentyll erle Thomas with an hygh voyce sayd / Nay lordes forsoth and by saynt Thomas I was neuer traytoure ¶The Iustyce sayd ayen tho. Thomas oure lorde the kyng putteth vpon you that ye haue robbyd his folke / and murdred his people as a theyf. Thomas also the kynge puttythe vpon you that he dyscōfyted you & our people wyth his folke / in his owne reame / wherfore. ye wē ­te & fledde to the woode as an outlaw▪ and tho­mas as a traytoure ye shall be hangyd by rea­sō. but y^e kynge hathe foryeuen you that Iugement / for loue of quene Isabell. And Thomas reson wolde y^t ye sholde be hangyd / but y^e kyn­ge hath foryue you that Iugemēt for by cause & loue of your lygnage. But for asmoche. Thomas as ye were taken fleenge / and as an out­lawe. the kynge: woll that your heed shalle be smyten of / Anone haue hym oute of prees and brynge hym to his Iugement. ¶Whan the gē tyll knyght Thomas had herde all these wor­des / wyth an hygh voyce he cryed sore wepyn­ge and sayd alas saynt Thomas fayr fader. A­las shall I be deed thus Graunt me now bles­sydful▪ god answere. But all auayled hym no thynge For the cursyd Gascoyns put hym hyther & thyder / & on hym cryed wyth an hyghe voys. O kynge Arthur moost terryble & dredefull [Page lxxiiii] / well knowen & shewed now is thyn open traytour. And an euyll deth shalt thou ryght anone deye. Haste thou not ryght well deserued it. ¶And thenne thyse cruell folke sette vpon the gode knyhht Thomas for very scorne an olde chaplet that was alle to rente / y^t was not worth an halfe peny. And after that they sette hym vpon a whyte palfroy full vnsemely / & also all bare / wyth an olde brydell. And wyth an horryble noyse they draue hym out of the cas­tell to warde hys deth / and they cast vpon hym many balles of snowe in dyspyte. And as the traytours lad hym out of the castell tho sayde he these pyteous wordes. And his hondes helde vp on hygh to warde heuen Now the kyng of heuen yeue us mercy for the erthly kyng ha­the vs forsaken and a frere precher wente with hym out of the castell tyll he came to the place that he endeth his lyfe. vnto whome he shroue hym all hys lyfe. And the gentyll erle helde the frere wonder fast by the clothes & sayd to hym Fayr fader abyde with vs tyll y^t I be deed. for my flesshe quakyth for drede of dethe. ¶And the sothe for to say / The gentyll erle sette hym vpon hys knees / and torned hym to warde the eest: but a rybaude that was called Hygone of mos [...]on sette honde vpon the gentyll Erle and sayd in dyspyte of hym Syr traytour torne the towarde the Scottes / thy fowle deth to receyue / & torned to warde the Nosth. The noble erle Thomas answered tho wyth a mylde voys and sayd now fayr lordes I shall do your wyll And with that worde y^e frere went from hym sore wepynge. And anone a rybaude wente to hym / & smote of hys heed / the .xi. Kalendas of Auerell. In the yere of grace .M.CCC. & .xxi. ¶Alas that euer suche a gentyll blood sholde be don to deth withouten cause & reason. And traytoursly the kynge was counseylled / whan he thrugh the fals counseyll of the Spenser suffred syr Thomas his vncles sone to be put to suche a deth / & so he beheeded ayenst all maner of reasō / And grete pyte it was also / that suche a noble kynge sholde be dysceyued and mysgo­uerned thrugh counsell of the fals Spensers / the whyche tho he mayntened thrughe loselry ayenst his honour & also his proffyte. For after warde there fell grete vengaunce in Englon­de. for by cause of the forsayd· Thomas dethe. whan the gentyll erle of his lyf was passyd. y^e pryour & the monkys of Pounfret gate the body of syr Thomas of the kynge & buryed it before the hyghe awter on the ryght syde. ¶That same daye that thys gentyll knyght was dede / were hangyd and drawen / for the same quarel at Poūtfret syr Wyllyam Tuchet. Syr Wyllyam. Fitz Wyllyam. syr werreyn of Isell. Syr Henry Bradborn / & syr Wyllyam Cheyne ba­rons al / and Iohn̄ page esquyrer. and soone after at yorke were drawen & hangyd syr Roger Clyfforde / syre Iohan of Mambray barons. & syr Goselyne Deuyll knyght. ¶And at Brystowe were drawē and hangyd / Syr Henry of wemyngton / & syr Henry Moun [...]torde barōs ¶And at Gloucerre were drawē and hangyd syr Iohn̄ Gaffarde and syr Wyllyam of Elmebrughe barons / & at Londō were hangyd and drawen Syr henry Tyes baron. ¶And atte wynchelse syr thomas Clepepyr knyght. And ferthermore to telle of thys cruell occyon atte wyndsore was drawe & hangyd syr Fraunc [...]s waldēham baron / & at Caunterbury was dra­wē and handyg syr Berthylmew Badelesmo­re and syr Berthylmew of Asshe bourucham barons and at Cardyf in walys syr Wylyam Flemmynge baron.

¶How kynge Edwarde wente into Scotlonde wyth an hundrde thousande mē of armys / and myght not spede.

SO whan kynge Edwarde of Englonde had brought the floure of cheua [...] ▪ vnto theyr deth. thrugh counsell & con [...]ente of syr Hugh Spenser the fader / & syr Hughe the sone he became as woode as ony lyon▪ & what so euer the Spensers wolde haue it was done So well the kynge louyd theym y^t they myght do with hym all thynge that them lyked wherfore the kynge gaaf vnto syr Hughe Spenser the fader y^e erldom of wynchestre and vnto syr Andrewe of Herkela the erldome of Cardoyll [...] in preiudyce and in harmynge of hys crowne. And kyng Edwarde tho thrugh counsel of the Spensers dysheryted alle them that had be a­yenst hym in ony quarel with Thomas of L [...] ­castre. And many other were dysheryted also / by cause that the Spensers coueyted for to ha­ue theyr londes. And so they had all that they wold desyre wyth wronge / & ayenst all reason. Tho made the kynge Robert Baldok a fal [...]e pylled clerke Chaunceler of Englond. thrugh counsell of the forsayde Spensers. ¶And he was a false rybaude / And a coueytouse. And [Page] so they counseylled the kynge moche / that the kyng lete take to hys owne warde all the gooddes of the lordes that were put wrongfully to the deth in to hys owne honde. And aswell they toke the goodes y^t were within hooly chyrche / es the goodes y^t were wythout / & lete theym be put in to hys tresoury in London / & lette them calle hys for feytes. And by there coūsell y^e kynge wrought for euer more he dysheryted them that the godes ought / & thrugh ther coūsell lete arer a talegge of all the goodes of Englonde / wherfore he was the rychest kyng y^t euer was in Englonde. after wyllyam Bastarde y^t com­quered Englonde. / And yet thrughe coūsell of them hym semyd y^t he hadde not ynough. But made yet euery towne of Englonde for to fynde a man of armys vpon theyr owne costes / for to go & werre vpon the Scottes y^t were his enmyes / wherfore the kynge went in to Scotlonde with an houndred thousande men of ar­mys at wytsontyde in the yere of our lord Ihesu Crist .M.CCC.xxii. But the Scottes wente / & hyd them in moūteyns & in wodes and caryed the Englysshmen fro day to day / that the kynge myght for no manere thynge fynde thē in playne felde / wherfor many Englysshmen that had lytyl vytaylles deyed ther for hungre wonder fast an sodenly in goynge and comynge and namely tho that had bene ayenst Tho­mas of Lancastre & robbyd his men vpon hys londes. whan kynge Edwarde sawe that vy­taylles fayled hym / he was wonder sore dys­comfyted. bycause also y^t hys men deyed. & for he myght not spede of his enmyes. So att the last he came ayen in to Englonde / & anone af­ter came Iames Douglas and also Thomas Radulph with an huge hooste into Englonde in to Northumberlonde / and wyth them the Englysshmen that were dryuen out of Eng­londe / and came and robbed the countree / and slewe y^e people / & also brente the twone y^t was callyd Northallerton & many other twones to yorke. And whan the kynge herde thys tydyn­ges he lete so mane all maner men that myght trauyllee. And so the Englysshmen mette the Scottes at y^e abbay of Beyghelande the .xv. day after Mygelmas. en the same yere aboue sayd / and the Englysshmen were there dysconfyted. And at that dyscomfyture was take syr Iohan of Brytayne Erle of Rychmonde that helde the countree & the erldome of Lancastre and after he payed an huge raunsonne & was lete goo. And after that he wente in to Fraun­ce and came neuer after agayne.

¶How syr Andrewe of Herkelay was take and put to deth / that was Erle of Cardoil.

THen at that tyme was syr Andrew of Herkela / y^e new was made erle of Cardoil / for cause that he had taken the good erle Thomas of Lancastre. ¶He hadde ordeyned thrugh the kynges cōmaundement of Englonde. for to bringe hym all the power y^t he myght for to helpe ayenste the Scottes as the abbaye of Beglonde. And whan y^e fals traytour had gadred all the people that he myght & shold haue come to the kynge vnto the abbaye of Beyghelande / y^e fals traytour ladde them by a no­ther coūtre thrughe Copelonde. And thrughe therldome of Lancastre / & went thrugh y^e coū tree & robbed & slewe the folke all y^t he myght. And ferthermore the fals traytour had take a grete somme of golde and syluer of syr Iames Douglas for to be ayenst the kyng of Englonde. & to be helpynge & holdynge with the Scottes / thrugh whose treason the kynge of Eng­londe was scomfyted at Beyghelande or y^t he came thyder. wherfore the kyng was to ward hym wonder wrothe. and lete pryuely enquere by the coūtre aboute how y^t it was. And some men enquered and aspeyed / so at the laste the trough was foūde & sought. And he atteynte & take as fals traytour / as y^e gode erle Thomas of Lancastre hym tolde of y^t he was pute vnto deth at hys ta [...]ynge att Burbrugge. & to hym sayd. Or y^e that were doon he sholde be take & holde a traytour And so it was as the holy mā sayd. ¶wherfore the kyng sent pryuely to syr Anthony of Lucy / a knyght of the countre of Cardoil that he sholde take syr Andrew of Herkela & put hym vnto the dethe. And to brynge this thynge vnto the ende. the kynge sente hys Commyssion so that thys same Andrewe was take at Cardoill and ladde vnto the barre in the maner of an erle worthyly arayed / & wyth aswerde gyrde aboute hym / and hosyd and spo­ryd. ¶Tho spake syr Anthoyn in this maner syr Andrewe sayd he the kynge puttyth vpon the for asmoche as thou hast be orpyd ī thy de­dys / he dyde to the moche honour / & made the erle of Cardoil. & than as a traytour to thy lorde laddest the people of hys countere that shold haue holpe hym at the batayll of Beyghel and [Page lxxv] and thou laddest them awaye by the countree of Copelande / and thrugh the erldom of Lancastre wherfore our lorde the kynge was dys­comfyted there of the Scottes thrugh thy tre­ason & falsnesse and yf thou haddest come by tymes he had had the bataylle and treason thou dydest for y^e grete somme of golde & syluer that thou receyued of Iames Douglas a Scot the kynges enmye And our lorde the kynge wyl / y^t the ordre of knyghthode. by the whiche thou receyued al thyne honour and worshyppe vppon thy body be all brought to nought & thyn esta­te vndoyne. that other knyghtes of lower de­gree mowe after beware / whyche lorde hathe the auaunted hugely in dyuerse countrees of Englonde and that al may take ensample by there lorde after warde. truly for to serue. ¶Tho commaunded he anone a knaue / To hew of hys spores of his helys / and after he le­te breke the serde ouer hys heed. the whiche the kynge yaue hym for to kepe and defende hys londe ther wyth whan he / made hym Erle of Cardoyll. And after he lette hym be vnclothed of hys furred taberde and of hys hode / and of his furryd cotes / and of his gyrdell. ¶And whanne this was done / Syr Anthony sayde thenne vnto hym. Andrewe sayde he Nowe arte thou noo knyghte But a knaue / and for thy treason the kynge wylle that thou shalte be hangyd and drawen and thy heed smyten of / and thy bowels take oute of thy body and brente before the / and thy body quartryd and thy heed sente to London / and there it shall stonde vpon London brydge / and the foure quarters shall be sente to foure townes of Englonde / y^t all other maye beware and chastysed by y^t And as Anthony sayde / so it was done all manere of thynge in the laste daye of Octobre. in the yere of grace .M.iii.C.xxii. yere. And the sonne torned in to blood as the peple it saw / and that dured from the morne tyll .xi. of the cloke.

¶Of the myracles y^t god wrought for saȳt Thomas of Lancastre / wherfore the kynge lete close in y^e chyrche dores of y^e pryory of Poūtfert / that no mā sholde come therin for to offre

ANd sone after that the good erle Tho­mas of Lancastre was martryd there was a preest that lōge tyme had be blynde / dre­med in his slepe / that he sholde go to y^e hylle there the good Erle Thomas of Lancastre was doon vnto deth / and he sholde haue his syghte ayen & so he dremed thre nyghtes sewynge. and the preest lede hym to the same hyll and whā he came to y^e place y^t he was martryd on deuowt­ly he made there his prayers / And prayed god and saynt Thomas / that he myghte haue hys syght ayen / And he was in hys prayers he layed hys ryght hōde vpon the same that the gode man was martryd on / & a drope of drye blood and smale sonde cleuyd on hys honde / & there with stryketh his eyen. And anone thrugh the myght of god & saynt Thomas of Lancastre / he had his syght ayen. And thankyd tho almyghty god and saynt Thomas. And whan this myracle was knowen amonge men / the people came thither on euery syde. and knelyd and made theyr prayers at his tombe that is in the pryory of Pountfret and prayed that holy martyr of socour and of helpe / & god herde there pray­er. ¶Also there was a yonge chylde drowned in a welle in the towne of Pountfret and was deed thre daye and thre nyghtes. And men ca­me and layed y^e deed chylde the sayd Thomas tombe the holy martyr / and the chylde arose from dethe to lyfe. as many a man it sawe. ¶And also moche peple were out of ther mynde / and god sent them theyr mynde ayen. tho­rough vertue of that holy man. And god hathe yeue there also to cryppyls theyr goynge / & the crokyd theyr hōdes & there feet / and two blynd also theyr syght. & to many syke folke there [...]el­the of dyuers maladyes for the loue of this go­de martyr. ¶Also there was a ryche man in Coūdom in Gascoyne and suche a malady he had that al his ryght syde rotyd & fel a way frō hym / that men myght see his lyuer & hys herte and so he stanke / that vnneth they myght co­me nyghe hym. wherfore hys frendes were for hym wonder sory. But at the last as god wolde. they prayed to saynt Thomas of Lancas­tre / that he wolde pray almyghty god for that prysoner & behyght for to go to Pountfret for to doo theyr pylgrymage / he thought that the Martyr saynt Thomas came to hym. and anoynted alle his sike body / and therwith the good man a woke & was all hole / & his flesshe was restored ayē that before was ro [...]yd & fallē a way. For whiche myracle the good man and his frē des louyd god and saynt Thomas euermore after. And this good man came into Englonde And toke with him foure felowes: and came to Poūtfret to y^e holy martyr. & dyd theyr pylgrymage. [Page] & the good man that was syke came thyther all nakyd / saufe his preuye clothes. And whan they had done. they torned home ayen in to theyr owne coūtre. and tolde of the myracle wher soo euer that they came. ¶And also two men haue ben heelyd there of the mormale thrugh helpe of y^e holy martyr / thoughe that euyll be holde in curable. And whan y^e Spensers herde y^t god dyde suche myracles for thys holy man they nolde byleue yt in noo manere wyse [...] / but sayde openly that it was grete heresye / suche vertue of hym to byleue. and whan syr Hugh Spenser the sone sawe all this doynge / anone he sente his massager from Pount­fret there that he dwelled to kyng Edwarde y^t tho was at Grauen at scypton / for cause y^t the kynge sholde vndo y^e pylgrymage / And as the rybaude y^e messager went to warde the kynge for to do his message / he came by the hylle the­ [...]e the good martyr was doon to dethe. And in the same place he made his ordure / and whan he hadde done. he rode to warde the kynge and a stronge flyre came vpon hym or that he ca­me to yorke / and tho he shed alle hys bowelles at his fūdment. And whā syr Hugh Spenser herde this tygynges / somdele he was adradde and thoughte for to vndo thys pylgrymage yf he myghte by ony manere a waye / and ano­ne he wente to the kynge / and sayde that they sholde be in greate sklaundre thrughe out alle crystendome / for the deth of Thomas of Lancastre yf y^t he suffred y^e peple to do there pylgrymage at Poūtfret & so he counseled the kynge that he cōmaūded to shyt the chyrche dores of Pountfret / in the wyche chyrche y^e holy mar­tyr was enteryd. and thus they dyd ayenst all fraūchyses of holy chirche so y^e foure yere after myght no pylgryme come to the holy bodye. & bycause the monkes suffred men to come & honour that holy body of saynt Thomas y^e martyr. thrugh coūsell of syr Hughe Spenser the sone / and thrugh coūsell of mayster Roberte Baldok the fals pylled clerke. that was y^e kynges chaūceles. the kyng consented y^t they shol­de be lette to theyr wages / & lete make warde­yns ouer there owne good longe tyme / & thr­oughe cōmaūdement of the forsayd syr Hugh Spenser .xiiii. Gascoynes well armyd kepte the hylle there that the good man saynt Tho­mas was don vnto his deth so that no pylgryme myght come by that way / Full well wente he to haue take crystis myght & hys power & y^e grete boos of miracles / that he shewed for hys martyr saynt thomas thrugh all crystendom And that same tyme the kynge made Roberte of Baldok the fals pylled clerke. thrugh prayer of syr Hugh Spēser sone. was made Chaū ­seler of Englonde. And in y^e same tyme was y^e castell of walyngforde holden ayenst the kyn­ge thrughe prysoners that weren wythin the castell for saynt Thomas loue of Lancastre / wherfore the people of the coūtre came & toke the castell of the prysoners wherfore syr Iohn̄ of Goldyngton knyght and syr Edmonde of Becche prysoners were taken & sent vnto the kyng to Pountfrete & there they were done in pryson. and the forsayd Roger was sent vnto yorke / and there he was drawē & hangyd. And anone after syr Roger Mortymer of wygmo­re brake out of the tour of London in thys manere. The forsayd Roger herde that he sholde be drawe & hangyd at London in the morow after say [...] Laurence day and on the day before he helde a fayre feest in the toure of Lōdon and there was syre Stephen Segraue constable of the tour and many grete men with them and whan they sholde soupe / the forsayd Stephen sente for all y^e offycers of the tour. & they came & sowped with hym / and whā they sholde take there leue of hym. & squyre y^t was callyd Stephen▪ that was full preuy with the forsayd Roger thrugh hys counsell. yaue them all suche a drynke that the leest of them all slept two day­es & two nyghtes. & in the meane tyme he esca­ped a waye by water / by the thamys and went ouer the see and helde hym in Fraunce. wher­fore the kynge was sore anoyed / and put the same Stephen out of his Constabellary.

¶How the quene Isabell went in to Fraunce / for to treate of peas bytwene her lorde y^e kynge of Englonde / and the kynge of Fraū ­ce her broder.

THe kyng went tho vnto London and there thrugh coūsell of syr Hugh Spen­ser the fader. & of his sone & of mayster Robert Baldok a fals pylled clerke his Chaūcheler. let sease to all the quenes londes into hys hondes. and also all y^e londes that were syre Edwardes his sone. and were so put to theyr wagys / ayēst all maner of reason. & that was thrugh the falsnesse of the Spensers. ¶And whan the kyng [Page lxxvi] of fraunce y^t was quene Isabelles brother herde of this falsnesse he was sore anoyed ayenst the kynge of Englonde & his fals counsellers. wherfore he sent a letter to kyng Edward vnder his seale· y^t he shold come at a certayne day to do hys homage / & therto he somoned hym. & els he sholde lese all Gascoyne. And so it was ordeyned in Englonde thrugh the kyng & hys coūsel / that quene Isabel sholde go into Fraunce / for to treate of peas bytwene her lorde and her broder. & that Olyuer of yngham shold go into Gascoyne / & haue with hym .vii.M. men armys & moo / to be Seneschall & wardeyne of Gascoyne. & so it was ordeyned that quene Isabell / came into Fraunce and with her wente syr aymer of Valaunce erle of Penbroke that was there murdred sodenly in apreuysege / but that was thrugh goddes vengaūce for he was one of the Iustycys that cōsented to saynt thomas deth of Lancastre and wolde neuer after repent hym of that wyckyd dede. And all that tyme syr Olyuer of yngham wente ouer into Gascoyne / & dyde moche harme to y^e kynge of Fraunce & tho he gate ayen that kynge Edwarde had loste. and moche more therto.

¶How kynge Edwarde sente syr Edwar­de hys sone the eldest in to Fraunce.

THe quene Isabell had but a quater of a yere dwelled in Fraunce whan syr Edwarde her eldest sone axed leue tho for to go in to Fraūce / for to speke with his moder / Isabel the quene / & his fader the kynge grauntyd him with a good wyll / & sayd to hym go my fayr sone in goddys blyssynge and myn / and thynke for to come ayen as hastely as thou may / And he wēte ouer the see in to Fraunce & the kynge of Fraunce hys vncle receyued hym with mo­che honour / & sayd vnto hym / Fayr son ye be welcome / and for by cause that your father come not to his homage. for y^e duchye of Guyon / as his auncetours were wont for to do. I yeue you that lordshyp holde it of me in hery­tage as all manerauncetours dyd before you wherfore he was callyd duke of Guyon.

¶How the kynge exyled his quene ysabell & Edwarde her eldest sone.

AS kynge Edwarde of Englonde herde tell how the kyng of Fraunce had yeue the ducye of Guyon vnto syr Edward his so­ne / without consent and wyll of hym & that is sone had receyued the duchye he became wonder wrothe. & sente to hys sone by letter / y^t they sholde come ayen in to Englond in all y^e haste that they myght / And the quene Isabel and syr Edwarde her sone were wonder sore a dradde of the kynges menaced. & of hys wrath / pryn­cypally for the falsnesse of the Spensers / both of the fader / & also the sone. & at his cōmaundement they wolde not come wherfore kyng Edward was full sore anoyed / & lete make a crye at London / that yf quene Isabell & Edwarde his eldest sone / came not in Englōde that they sholde be holde as our enmyes / both to the reame & also to the crowne of Englonde & for that they nolde come into englonde / but both were exyled the moder & her sone. ¶Whan the quen herd thyse tydynges. She was sore adradde to be dystroyed / thrughe the fals conyectynge of the Spensers / & wente wyth y^e knyghtes that were exyled out of Englonde / for saynt Thomas cause of Lācastre that is to say syr Roger of wigmore. syr wyllyam Trusell syr Iohan Cromwell & many other good knyghtes wherfore they toke theyr counsell & ordeyned among them / for to make a maryage bytwene y^e duke of Guyhenne y^e kynges sone of Englond & y^e erles doughter of Henaude / that was a noble knyght of name. and doughty in hys tyme. & yf that thynge myght be brought a bowte then̄e stode they trowynge wyth the helpe of god and with his helpe to recouer theyr herytage in Englond / wherfore they were put out thrugh the fals cocnectynge of the Spensers.

¶How kyng Edwarde thrugh coūsel of the Spensers sent to the Douzephers of Fraūce. y^t they shold helpe that y^e quene Isabell & her sone syr Edwarde were exyled out of Fraunce.

AS kynge Edwarde and the Spensers herde how that quene Isabell & syr Ed­warde her sone▪ had alyed them to the Erle of Henaude / & to them that were exyled out of englonde for cause of thomas of Lancastre they were so sory that they wyst not what for to do / wherfore syr Hugh Spenser the sone sayde to syr Hugh the fader in this maner wyse. Fader cursyd by the tyme & the counsel that euer ye cō sented that the quene Isabell sholde goo in to Fraunce / for to treate of accorde betwene the kynge of Englonde & her broder the kynge of fraunce for that was your counsell. for at that tyme for soch your wytt fayled / for I drede me sore / leest thrugh her & her sone we shall be dys­troyed. [Page] But yf we take the better counseylle. ¶Now fayre syres vnderstonde / howe mer­ueylous felony & falshede the Spensers yma­gyned & cast. For pryuely they lete fyll fyue barelles ferrours with syluer / the sōme amoūtyd .v.M. pounde. & they sent those barelles ouer [...]ee pryuely by an alyaunt / that was callyd Arnold of Spayne / that was a broker of Lōdon That he sholde go to the Douzepers of Fraū ­ce / that they sholde procure / and speke to the kyng of Fraunce / that quene Isabell & her sone Edwarde wer dryuen & exyled out of Fraū ce. And amonge all other thynges. That ther were braught to y^e deth as pryuely as they myghte but almyghty god wold not so / for whan this Arnold was in the hygh see / he was take wi [...]h Selanders that mette hym in the hyghe see and toke hym and ladde hym to the erle of Henaude theyr lorde & moche Ioye was made for that takynge. And at the laste this Arnold pryuely stele a waye from thens. And came to London And of thys takynge & of other thyn­ [...]s the erle of Henaude sayd to the quene Isa­bell. Dame make you mery & be of good there for ye be rycher than ye wened for to be / & take thyse fyue barelles full of syluer. that were s [...] te to the Dourpers of France for to slee you & youre sone Edwarde. and thynke you hastely for to goo in to Englonde / and take with you Syre Iohan of Henaude my brother / and .v. hoūdred men of armys. For many of them of Fraunce in whom ye haue had grete truste done you for to scorne. and almyghty god graunte you that grace your enmyes to ouercome. ¶The quene Isabell sent tho thrugh Henaude and Flaundres / for her souldyours / & orde­ned her euery daye for to go in to Englonde a­yen / & so she had in her company syr Edmon­de of wodstok. that was erle of Kent. that was syr Edwardes broder of Englde.

¶How kynge Edwarde lette kepe the cos­tes by the see. and lete trye all the pryce men of armys and foot men thrugh Englonde.

AS kynge Edwarde herde telle y^e quen Isabell & Edwarde her sone. wolde come in to englonde / wyth a grete power of aly­aūtes. & with them y^t were outlawed out of en­glonde for there rebellyousnesse. he was sore a dradde to be put downe / & for to lese his kyng­dom wherfore he ordeyned to kepe hys castels in walys as well as in Englond / with vytayllers & theyr appa [...]ylles / and lette kepe hys ry­uers & also y^e. & at y^e feest of Decolaciō of saynt Iohn̄ Baptyst y^e Cytezyns of London sent to the kyng to Prochestre an .C. men of armys. & also he cōmaūded by hys letters ordeyend / y^t e­uery hundred & wepētake [...]otrye as wel men of armys as men on foot. and y^t they sholde be put in .xx. sōme. and in an hundred sōme / And commaunded y^e alle tho men were redy whan ony shoute or crye were made / for to purpose & take the alyauntis y^t came in to Englond for to ben bme hym the londe for to put him out of his kyngdon / And more ouer he lete crye tho­rugh his patent in euery fayre & in euery market of Englonde / y^t the quene Isabell & syr Ed­warde his eldest sone. & the erle of Kent. y^t they were take. and saufly kepte without ony ma­nere harme vnto them doynge / & all other manere people y^t come with them. anone smyte of ther hedys. without ony manere raunsom ta­kynge of them. And what man myght brynge syr Rogeres mortymer heed of wygmore. sholde haue an hūdred poūde of money for his trauall. ¶And ferthermore he ordened by his patrent & cōmaunded to make. a fyre vpon euery hyll / besyde the ryuers and in lowe countrees. for to make hyghe bekenesse of rymbre. That yf it so were that the alyuntes came vnto lon­de by nyght tyme that then̄e the Inhabycauntys there aboute sholde endeuoyr them selfe in goodly hast to lyght & fyre y^e bekenes that the countree maye be warned & come & mete there enmyes. And in y^e tyme deyed syr Roger Mortymyer his vcle in the toure of London.

¶How the quene Isabell and syr Edward duke of Guyhenne her sone came in to London at her with / and how they dyde.

AS quene Isabell and syr Edwarde her sone duke yf Guyhenne syr Edwarde of wodstok erle of Kente / & syr Iohn̄ the erles brother of Henaude & there company. dradde not the menace of y^e kyng ne of hys traytours for they trusted all in goddys grace / & came to Her with in South floke y^e .xxiii. daye of Septembre / in the yere of grace .M.CCC.xxvi. And the quene & syre Edwarde her sone sent letters to the Mayre & comynalte of London requyrynge them / that they sholde be helpyn­ge in the quarell and cause that they had / that is to saye to dystroye the traytours of the rea­me. But none answeres were sent ayen: whe [...] fore [Page lxxvii] the quene and syr Edwarde her sone sent a nother patent letter vnder the seases the te­nour of whiche letter here folowyth in this maner. ¶Isabell by the grace of god quene of en­glonde / lady of Irlonde / and coūtesse of Pountyf / and we Edwarde the eldest sone of the kynge of Englond. duke of guyon / erle of Chestre of Pauntyf / & of moustroyl. to the Mayre & to all the comynaltee of the cytee of London sendyth gretynge for asmoche as we haue before the tyme / sent to you by your letters / how we be come into thys londe in good arraye and in good manere / for the maner / for the honour & profyte of holy chyrche and of our dere lorde y^e kyng and all the reame with al the reame with all our myght and power / to kepe / and mayntene / as we / and al the good folke of the forsayd reame are holden to doo. And vppon that we praye you that ye wolde be helpynge to vs in as moche as ye maye in this quarell that is for the comune profyte of the forsayd reame / and we haue had to this tyme none answere of the forsayde letters [...] ne knowe not your mynde in that party. wherfore we sende to you ayen and praye & charge you chat ye bere you so ayenste vs / that we haue no cause to greue you / but y^e ye ben vnto vs helpynge by all the wayes that ye maye or may knowe / For wytte ye well in certē that we and all that be come with vs into thys reame / thynke not to do ony thynge. but that thynge that shall be for the comyn profyte of all the reame / but oonly to destroye Hugh Spēser our enmye and enmye to all the reame as ye it wel knowe. wherfore I praye you / and charge you in y^e fayth that ye owe vnto our lyege lord y^e kynge & to vs / & vpon al that ye shall mowe for fayre ayen vs. that yf the sayd spen­ser our enmye come within your power / that ye do hym hastely to be take / & saufly kepe vn­tyll ye haue ordeyned of hym our wyll & y^e ye leue it not in no maner wyse as ye desyre honour & profyte of vs all & of all y^e reame. Vnderstondynge ye ryght well that yf ye do this our prayer and streyghte cōmaundemēt / we thynke vs so moche the more beholdynge vnto you. And also ye shall gete you worshyp & also profyte. yf ye sende as hastely answere of all your wyll a­yen at Baldok the syxte daye of Octobre. whiche letter in the dawnynge of the day of saynt Denys / was tackyd vppon the newe crosse in Chepe / and many topyes of the same letter were tackyd vpon wyndowes and dores & vpon other places in the cyte of london / that all men passynge by the way myght them rede and se / And in the same tyme kyng Edwarde was at London in the toure at his mete / And a messa­ger came in to the halle & sayde / that the quene Isabell was come to londe at Herewhiche. and hath brought in her company syr Iohan of He­nande & with hym mē of armes without nom­bre. And with that worde syr Hugh Spenser y^e fader spake / & thus vnto the kynge sayd. My moost worshypfull lorde & kynge of Englond now make good chere for certenly they ben all oures. The kynge sawe this worde comfortable. yet he was fulle sorowfull & pensyf in hys herte And the kynge had not fully eten but there came in to the halle a nother messager / & sayde that the quene Isabell was arryued at Her whiche besyde ypswytche in Soutfolke Syr Hugh Spenser the fader spake to the messager & sayd / Tell sothe in gode fayth my fayre fren­des: is she come with a grete strenth. Now c [...] tes the sothe for to saye syr sayd the messager. She ne hath in her companye but v [...]. hoūderd men of armys. And with that worde syr Hu­ghe Spenser the fader cryed with an hygh voice & sayd / Alas alas we ben alle betrayes. Fortes with so lytell power she had neuer come to londe / but yf folke of thys lōde were vnto her concente. And therfore after there mete they toke counsell. and went to warde walys for to arere the walsshmen ayenst the quene Isabell and Edwarde her sone / all for to ryght and so they were in purpose euery chone.

¶How mayster water Stapylton bysshop of Excetre that was y^e kynges tresorer was heedyd at London

ANd in the same tyme kynge Edwarde was sore adradde. leest that men of london wolde yelde theym vnto the quene Isabell And to her sone Edwarde / wherfore he sette mayster walter Stapylton his tresorer for to be wardeyne / and keper of the cyte of Londō / with the Mayre / And soo came to the Gyldeha [...]e of London: and axed the keyes of the ya­tes of the Cyte / thrughe vertu & strength of hys commyssyon & wolde haue had the kepynge of the cite And y^e comuners answered: & sayd that they wolde kepe the cyte to the honour of kynge Edwarde & of Isabell the quene / & of y^e du­ke the kynges sone without ony more. the bysshop [Page] tho was sore onoyed / & swore othes / they all sholde abye it anone as the kynge Edward were come out of walyes. ¶And y^e comuners all anone of the cyte toke y^e bysshop & lad hym anone amyddes of the Chepe / & ther they smote of his heed / & set his heed in his ryght honde And forth with the same comyns of the cyte of London by heedyd two of his squyres y^t helde with the bysshop / and one of them was callyd wylliam of wayle / y^t was the bysshops neuew And that other was callyd Iohn̄ of Padyntō. And also they toke a burgeys of Lōdon y^t was callyd Iohn̄ Mershall. that was syr Hugh spē ser espye the fader & smote of his heed also: & in that same tyme y^e bysshop had in London a fayr toure in makynge in his close / vpon the ryuer Temse y^t was withou [...] temple barre / & he fayled stone to make therof an ende & he com­maūded his men to go the frere Carmes / and there they toke stone to make ther with the toure / & moche sonde & morter & olde robous that was left. And for the dyspyte the bysshop had done vnto holy chyrche / he & hys two squyres were buryed in that sonde. As thoughe they had ben houndes / and there they laye .xi. we­kes tyll that the quene Isabell sent her letters to the comuners / & prayed them that they wolde suffre and graunte. that the bysshop myght be take out of that place / & be buryed at Exce­tre at his owne chyrche And soo he was / & hys two squyres were buryed at saynt Clementes chyrche without temple barre. And it [...] was no wonder thoughe that bysshop deyed an euyll deth. For he was a coueytous man & had wyth hym no mercy / & euyll counseylled the kynge. And soone after was Arnold of Spayne take. that assētye to lede the .v.M.li. of syluer in fy­ue barelles feryers vnto y^e douzepers of Fraū ce / for to helpe & haste the quene Isabell to her deth. And Edwarde her sone also. and this Arnold was put to deth without the cyte·

¶How kynge Edwarde & syr Hugh Spenser and the erle of Arundell were taken.

AS kynge Edwarde had sente mayster walter Stapylton / hys tresorer in to London / for to kepe the cyte vnto hym ayenst the quene Isabell hys wyf / & ayenst Edwarde his sone anone hymself toke with hym syr Hughe Spenser the sone. & syr Iohn̄ of Arundell and mayster Robert Baldok hys Chaunceler a fals pylled clerke & toke theyr waye to warde Brystowe / And there the kynge abode a lytyll tyme / and made syr Hugh Spenser the fader as Conestable and keper of the castel. Ane the kynge & that other Spenser went to shyppe / and saylled to warde walys / & toke noo leue of the kynges Stewarde / ne of none of the kyn­gys housholde / & went ouer in to walys for to arere the walsshmen ayenst dame Isabell the quene & the duke her sone / And the erle of Kente / and syr Iohn̄ Henaude / And he wente and pursued after them / And theyr power encreacyd euery daye / So at the laste the kynge was taken vpon an hyll in walys / and Syr Hugh Spenser the sone in that othersyde of y^e same hylle / & the false pylled clerke mayster Robert Baldok there faste besyde theym. And were broughte ayen in to Englonde / as almyghty god wolde / And the kyng hymself was put in sauf kepynge in the castel of Kenylworth / and hym kept syr Henry y^t was saynt Thomas brother of Lancastre / and syr Hugh the fader came & put hym in the quenes grace & Edwarde her sone duke of Guyon / but syr Hugh Spen­ser after y^e tyme that he was take. wolde neuer eete no more meete ne drynke no maner dryn­ke / for he wyste to haue no mercy / sauf only to be deed. ¶And the quene & her counsell had ordeyned / that he sholde haue be doon to deth at London. But he was soo feble for hys moche fastynge y^t he was nygh deed & therfore it was ordeyned. y^t he shold haue his Iugement at her forde. & at a place of the toure hys heed was ta­ke from his body & also fro Robert Baldok y^t was a fals pylled clerke & the kynges chaunce­ler. And men sette vpon theyr heedys chaplet­tys of sharpe netles / and two squyres blewe in ther eerys / with two grete bugle hornes / vpon the twoo prysoners. that men myght here ther blowen oute wyth hornes more than a myle. & one Symond of Rydynge y^e kynges Marshall bare before them vpon a spere ther armys re­uersyd / in token / that he sholde be vndon for euermore. And vpon the morowe was syr Hu­ghe Spenser the sone dampned to dethe & was drawen hangyd & heedyd. & hys bowels taken out of hys body. & brent. & after y^t he was quar­tred / & hys four quarters were sent to the four townes of Englonde / & his heed sente to London brydge / And this Symond for cause y^t he dyspysyd quene Isabell / he was drawen & hanged in a stage made a myddes the forsayd syr [Page lxxvi] Hughes galowes. And the same daye a lytell from thens was syr Iohan of Arundell be heddyd by cause he was one of syr Hugh spensers counselers. And anone after was syr Hughe Spenser fader hangyd and drawē / & heedyd at Brystow / and after hangyd ayē by the armys with two stronge ropes. & the fourth day after he was hewen all to pecys / & houndes ete hym. And bycause that y^e kyng had yeuen hym y^e erldom of wynchestre hys heed was sent thether and put vpō a spere / And the fals Baldok was sent to London & ther he deyed in pryson amō ­ge theues / for men dyd hym nomore reueren­ce / than they wolde do vnto an hounde. And so deyed the traytours of Englond blessyd be al­myghty god. And it was no wonder. for thrughe there coūsel the good erle Thomas of Lancastre was doō vnto dethe & all that helde with Thomas of Lancastre thrugh y^e traytours were vndone & all theyr heyres dysheryted.

¶How kynge Edwarde was put downe / and his dygnyte take from hym.

ANd anone after as all this was doone. the quene Isabell and Edward her sone and all the grete lordes of Englonde at one assente / sente to kynge Edwarde to the castell of Kenylworth / there as he was in kepyng vnder the warde of syr Iohan Hachin. that was the bysshop of Ely. and of syr Iohan of Pereye a baron / for bycause that he shold ordeyne hys parlement at a certayne place in Englond for to redresse & amende the state of y^e reame. And kynge Edwarde them answerde & sayde Lordes sayd he ye se ful well how it is. Lo here my seale / & I gyue to you all my power for to calle and ordeyne a parlement where that ye wyll. ¶And thenne they toke theyr leue of hym & came ayen to the barons of Englōde / And whan they hadde the kynges Patent of this thynge / they shewed it to the lordes. And tho was ordeyned / that parlemente sholde be at westmestre. at the Vtas of saynt Hylary / And all the grete lordes of Englonde lete ordeyned theym there ayenst that tyme that the parlement sholde be And at whiche daye y^e parlement was the kynge wolde not come there for no maner of thyn­ge / as he had sete hȳ self & assygned. And neuertheles the barons sent vnto hym oo tyme and other. And he swore by goddys souie. that he wolde not come there oo fote wherfore it was ordeyned by all the grete lordes of Englonde / that he sholde no lenger be kynge / but be depe­sed And sayd / that they wolde crowne Edwarde his sone / the elder / that was y^e duke of Guy­henne. And sent tydynges vnto the kynge there that he was in warde vnder syr Iohan Erle of Garen. & syr Iohn̄ of Bothun. that was bysshop of Ely / & syr Henry Percy a baron / & syr wyllyā Trusell a knyght / that was with y^e Erle syre Thomas of Lancastre [...] for to yelde vp there homages vnto hym for all them of Englonde. ¶And syr wyllyam trussell sayd thyse wordes. ¶Syr Edwarde for cause that he haue trayed your people of Englonde & haue vndone many grete lordes of Englonde without ony cause / ye shal be deposyd / & now ye be with stand thankyd be god / And also for cause that ye wolde not come to the parlemēt as ye ordeyned att westmestre / as in your letter patent is conteyned / for to treate wyth your owne lyege men as a kynge sholde. And therfore thrughe al y^e comyns assente / & all the lordes of Englonde / I tell vnto you these wordes ▪ ye shal [...]e vn­derstōde syr / that y^e barons of Englond at one assente / wyll that ye be no more kynge of En­glonde but vtterly haue put you out of youre ryalte for euer more / And the bysshop of Ely sayd tho to the kynge syr Edwarde I yelde vp feaute & homage for alle the Archebisshops and bysshops of Englonde & for all the clergy Tho sayd syr Iohan erle of Garenne syr Edwarde I yelde vp here vnto you feaute & homage for me and for alle the erles of Englonde. ¶And syr Henry Percy yaue vp also his homage for hym & for al the barons of Englonde. And tho sayde syr wyllyam Cruscell / I yelde vp nowe vnto you myn homage for me & also for all the knyghtes of Englonde & for all them that hol­de by seryaūtre. or by ony other thynge of you so that from thys daye after ye shall not be cla­myd kynge / nother for kyng be holde for a synguler man of all the people. ¶And so they wē te thens to London that the lordes of Englonde them abode / and syre Edwarde abode in pryson in good kepynge / And thys was on the daye of the Conuersyon of saynt Poule in the .xx. yere of his regne.

¶Of the prophecye of Merlyn declared of kynge Edwarde the sone of kynge Edwarde the fyrste.

OF this kyng Edwarde prophecyed merlyn & sayd that there sholde come a gote [Page] [...]t of Carre that sholde haue hornes of syluer & aberde as white as snowe. And a drope sholde come out of his nosethrylles / y^t sholde beto­ken moche harme Hungre / & dethe of people & grete losse of his londe / And that in the begyn­nynge of his reyge sholde be haūted moche le­chery. And he sayd sothe. alas y^e tyme For kynge Edwarde y^t was kyng Edwarde sone was borne att Carnaryuane in walys for sothe he hornes of syluer: & a berde as whyte as snowe whan he was made prynce of walys to moche he yaue hym to ryot. and to foly And so moche Merlyn in hys prohhecye y^t there sholde come out of his nose a drope. For in hys tyme was grete hungre amonge the poore people / & strō ge deth amonge the ryche / y^t deyed in straunge londe wyth moche sorowe / & in were in Soct­londe. And after he loste Scotlonde & Gascoyne / and whyle that hymselfe was kynge there was moche lechery haūtyd. ¶And also Mer­lyn tolde and sayd that this gote shold seke the floure of lyf and of deth and he sayd sothe. For he spowsyd Isabell the kyngꝭ syster of Fraūce And in his tyme Merlyn sayd / that there shol­de be made brydges of folke vpon dyches of y^e see / and that was well seen at Bannockysborne in Scotlonde whan he was dyscōfyted there of the Scottes / And Merlyn tolde also that stones sholde fall from castels. and many townes sholde be made playne. And he sayd sothe / For whan that kynge Edwarde was dyscō fyted in Scotlonde & came tho south warde / y^e Scottes besegyd the castels / & dyde them mo­che harme & brent townes in to the herde erth ¶And after ward Merlyn tolde that an Egle sholde come of Corne wayle / that sholde haue feders of golde / y^t of pryde shold haue no pere & he shelde dyspyse lordes of blod & after he sholde dey throgh a beer at Gauersych & that pro­phecye was full well knowe & funde sothe For by the egle vnderstonde syr Pers of ganaston that tho was erle of Corne wayle y^t was a wonder proude man that dyspysed y^e baronage of Englonde. but after warde he was heeded act Gauersich thrughe the erle of Lancastre and thrugh therle of warwyk. ¶And merlyn tol­de / that in his tyme it sholde seme that the beer sholde brenne & that batayll sholde be vpon an arme of the see in an felde / arayed lyke a shelde where sholde deye many whyte hedes. And he sayd sothe. For by the brynnynge of the beer yt betokenyd grete drede thrugh kyttyng of swerdes at that bataylle of Myton / for there came the Scottes in manere of a s [...]elde / in maner of a wynge and slewe men of relegyon prestes & seculers / wherfore the Scottes callyd that batayll in dyspyce of the Englyssmen / the whych batayll. And after Merlyn sayde the forsayde beer sholde do the gote moche harme. and that sholde be vpon the south west. & also vpon hys blode / And sayde also / that the gote sholde lese moche deale of his londe. tyll the tyme y^e shame sholde hym ouer come / & them he sholde clothe hm in a lyons skyn̄e sholde wynne ayen that he had lost and more thrugh people that sholde come out of the Northwest / that sholde make hym to be a ferde. And hym auenge vppon his enmyes thrugh counsell of two owles / y^e fyrst sholde be in pa [...]yll to be vndone. And that tho two owles shold go ouer see in to straūge lond. And there they sholde dwelle vnto a certayne tyme. and thenne they sholde come in to Eng­londe ayen / And tho owles sholde doo moche harme vnto many one. And that they sholde counsell the gote to meue warre ayenst the forsayd beer. And the gote and the owles. sholde to an arme of the see at Burton trente / & shol­de go ouer / & that for drede the beer sholde flee with a swanne in companye to Bury towar­de the. North. thrugh an vnkynde outpulter / and that the swanne then̄e shall be slayne wyth sorowe / and the beer sholde be slayne ful nyghe his owne nest. that sholde stonde vppon poun­fret / vpon whom the sonne shall shede his bee­mes. And many folke hym shalle seke for ver­tue. And he sayd sothe. For the good erle Thomas of Lancastre was borne in y^e Northwest And cosyn to the kynge. & his vncles sone. and by lawe he made the kynge lese moche londe / the whiche he had purchacyd wylfully. tyll at the last the kyng toke therof shame / & hym self slewe with cruelte And after he gate ayen that he had lost / and moche more thrugh folke that he [...]ette assēble out of y^e Northwest / tha [...] made hym to be adradde. And auengyd hym on his barons / thrugh counsell of syr Hugh Spenser the fader / and of syr Hugh the sone that before were outlawed for theyr wyckydnesse· But afterwarde they came ayen in to Englonde / syr [Page lxxvii] [...]e wer [...] vpon Thomas of Lancast [...]. Soo y^t the kynge and the Spensers & the erle of Arundell and theyr power mette wyth Thomas of Lancastre [...] Burton vpon trente / and hym there dyscomfyted and syr Vmfroy erle of her forde was in his company. And after fledde y^e forsayd Thomas and Humfroy with theyr cō ­pany to burbrugge metinge with syr Andrew of Herkela / that is callyd the vnkynde outpul­ter / and also syr▪ Symonde warde erle of yor­ke came and mette with Thomas of Lancastre with an huge power / and thē dyscomfyted & in that scomfyture the erle of Herforde was slayne vpō the brydge cowardly wyth spere in the foundement. and the erle Thomas was take & ladde vnto Poūfret. and tho was heedyd besyde his owne castell. But afterwarde ma­ny hym sought for myracles that god dyde for hym. ¶And in that tyme Merlyn sayd. for sorowe and harme shold deye a people of his londe / wherfore many londes shold be vpon hym the more bolder / and he sayd sothe for bycause of his barons that were doone to dethe for saȳt Thomas quarell of Lancastre. peple of many londes became the bolder / for to meue werre vpō the kyng / for theyr blood was torned to many nacyons. And afterwarde Merlyn tolde & sayd that the forsayd owles sholde doo moche harme vnto the flour of lyf and deth / and they shold brynge her to moche / dysese. So that she sholde go ouer see into Fraunce. for to make peas to the floure delyte. & there sholde abyde tyll a time her sede sholde come and fetche her / and tho they sholde abyde bothe tyll the tyme that they sholde clothe them wyth grace / & tho two owles she sholde seke. And put thē to pyteuous deth. And that prophecy was full well knowe. and was full sothe / for syr Hugh Spenser the fader. and syr Hugh the sone / dyde moche sorowe & persecucyon vnto y^e quene Isabel thrugh theyr procurement to her lorde the kynge / So they ordeyned amonge them. that she was wagys. That is to saye .xx. shelynges in the daye wherfore y^e kynge of Fraūce her brother was sore anoyed. and sente into Englonde by his letters vnto kynge Edwarde to come vnto hys parlement to Parys in Fraunce. But kynge Edwarde was sore adradde to come there / for he wende to haue be arestyd tyll y^t he had made amendes for the trespase y^e syr Hugh Spenser the fader and the sone had done and for y^e har­me that they had done vnto quene Isabell h [...] syster / wherfore thrughe hys ordynaunce and consente of the. Spensers. the quene Isabell went ouer see in to Fraunce for to make accorde betwene kynge Edwarde and the kynge of Fraunce her brother. And ther dwellyd she in Fraunce tyll Edwarde her Eldest sone came her for to seke / and so they dwellyd there both tyll that alyaunce was made bytwene thē and the gentyll erle of Henaude / that yf they wyth ther vertue myght dystroye and ouercome the venym and the falsnesse of the Spenser / that syr Edwarde sholde spowse dome Phylyp the worshypfull lady / & the erles doughter of He­naude / wherfore the quene Isabel and Edwarde her sone / and syr Edwarde of wodstok the kynges brother of Englonde / and syr Iohn̄ of Henaude / and syr Roger Mortymer of wyg­more / and syr Thomas Rocelyn and syr Io­han of Cromwell and syr wyllyam Trussell / and many other of the alyaunce of the gentyll erle Thomas of Lancastre / that were exyled out of Englonde for his quarel / and were dysheryted of theyr londes / ordeyned / them a gre­te power / and arryued at Here with in South folke / And soone after they pursewed y^e Spense [...]s tyll that they were takē & put pyteuous de­the as before is sayd. and theyr cōpany also for the grete falsnes y^t they dyde to kynge Edwarde to his peple. ¶And Merlyn sayd also more that the gote sholde be put in grete distresse and in grete angusshe and in grte sorow he sholde be lede his lyf / and he sayd sothe For after the time that kyng Edwarde was take he was put into warde tyll that the Spensers were put to deth / and also bycause that he wolde not come vnto his parlement at. London as he had or­deyned and assygned hymselfe vnto hys baro­nage / and also wolde not gouerne. and rule his people / ne his reame as a kynge sholde doo. Wherfore some of the barons of Englonde came and yelde vp ther homages vnto hym / for theym & al the other of the reame. in the daye of the cōuersyon of saynt Poule in the yere of his regne .xx. And they put hym out of hys ryaltee for euermore / And euer lyued afterwarde in moche sorowe and anguysshe.

LOdowicus was Emperour after Henry four [...] yere. this Lodowicus was duke of Banare and he dyspysed the coronaciō of y^e pope wherfor y^e pope hȳ / & moche labour & deposyd [Page] many perylles he had aft. & he trowbled gretly the vnyte of holy chyrche. And thē was chosyn ayenst hym Frederyk y^e duke of Ostryche. and he ouer came the duke & abode a rebe­lyon to hys ende. and in grete peryll to hys soule / And at the last Karolus was chosyn ayenst hym / the whiche preuaylled / and sodenly Lo­dowic fell downe of his hors and dyscessyd. ¶Iohn̄ Mandeuyll a douctour of physyk & a knyght borne was in Englonde abowte thys tyme. And he made a merueyllous pylgryma­ge. For he went almoost abowte all the worlde And he wrote his dedys in thre langages. and decessyd· and was buryed at Saynt Albons. ¶Benedictus the .xxii. was pope after Iohn̄ .vii. yeres and more / thys man was a monke / and in all his ynogthe he was of good conuersacyon / and a doctour of dyuinite. And whan he was made pope he refourmed thorder of saynt Benet in that thynge y^t was nescessary / & he was a harde man to graunt benefyces / lest he had graūtyd it to an vncunnynge man / he made a decretall / the whiche began (Benedictus deus in donis suis) And he was very cruel in fayth / & for that of sommen lytyll louyd / he was so stoute a man that almoost he wold not knowe his owne cosyns.

¶How the Englysshmē stoppyd the Scot­tes in the parke of Stanope and howe they torned ayen into Scotlonde.

THys tyme the Scottes had assembled all theyr power & came into Englonde & slewe & robbyd all y^t they myght take & brent & dystroyed all the North coūtree thrugh out / tyll that they came vnto the parke of S [...]āhope in weridale / & there y^e Scottes helde theym in a bussment / but whā y^e kyng had harde thorou spyes where y^e Scottes were anone ryght hoste desegyd them within the forsayd parke so that y^e scottes wyst not where to go out but only vnto ther harmes. And they abode in the parke .xv. dayes / & vytaylles faylled them in euery syde. so that they were gretly peyred of bodyes & syth that Bruce came fyrst into Brytayne vnto thys tyme / there was neuer seen so fayre an hoste / what of Englysshmen / & of alyāces & of men of fote / the whyche ordeyned theym for to fyght wyth y^e Scottes / thrugh eggynge of syr Henry of Lancastre & of syr Iohan Henaude. y^t wolde haue gone ouer the water of wyth for to haue fought with the [...] Scottes. But syr Roger Mortymer cōsentyd not therto / for he had pryuely taken mede of the Scottes them to helpe that they myght go away into theyr owne coū tre. ¶And this same Mortymer counseylled somoche Thomas of brotherton y^e erle Marshall that was kynge Edwardes vncle. that y^e forsayd Thomas shold not assemble at y^e tyme vnto the Scottes. And he assentyd. but wyste not the doynge bytwene the Scottes & the forsayd Mortymer / And by cause y^t he was Marshall of Englonde / as to hym perteyned euer after warde. he sent hastely to the erle of Lan­castre / & to syr Iohn̄ of Henaude / y^t they sholde not fyght with the Scottes / in preiudyce and harmynge of hym & his fee / & yf they dyde that they sholde stonde to theyr owne paryll. And the forsayd erle Marshall was all arayed with his batayll. att the reredoos of the erle of Lancastre / for to haue fought with hym & with his folke yf he had go to fyght wyth the Scottes / & in thys manere he was deceyued & wyste no thynge of the treason And thus was the kyng pryncypally dysceyued. And whan it was nyghte Mortymer / y^t had the watche for to kepe of y^e host / that nyght distrobled y^e watche y^t noo thynge myght be done. And in the meane why­le the Scottes stele by nyght to ward theyr owne coūtre as fast as they myght. ¶And so was the kyng fasly betrayed that wenyd that alle y^e traytours of londe had ben brought to an ende as it was sayd before. ¶Now here you lor­des how tratoursly kyng Edwarde was dys­ceyued. & how meruayllously. & boldly the scot­tes dyde of werre / For Iames douglas wyth two hūdred men of armys rode thrught out all the host of kyng Edwarde / the same nyght the Scottes escaped towarde theyr owne coūtree as is aboue sayd / tyl that they came to y^e kyngꝭ pauylyon / & slew there many men in theyr beddes / & cryed Naward naward / and nother ty­me a Douglas a Douglas wherfore the kyng [Page] that was in hys pauylyon & moche other [...]lke were wonder sore a frayed / But blyssyd be al­myghty god y^e kynge was not taken / & in gre­to peryll was tho the reame of Englonde. and that nyghte the mone shone full clere / and bryghte. And for all the kynges men the Scottes scapyd harmeles. ¶And oon the morowe whan the kynge wyste that the Scottes were escapyd in to theyr owne coūtree he was wonder sory / and fulle hertely wepte wyth hys yonge eyne / and yet wyste he not who hadde hym doone that treason· ¶But that fals treasone was fulle welle I knowen a good whyle after as the storye makyth mencyon. ¶Tho kynge Edward came ayen vnto yorke full sorowfull And hys host departyd / and euery man wente in to his owne countree wyth full heuy chere & mornynge semblaunt / And the Henaudes to­ke theyr leue and went in to theyr owne countree. And the kynge for theyr trauayll / hugely rewarde them. ¶And for bycause of that vyage / the kynge had dyspended moche of his tre­soure and wastyd. And in that tyme were seen two moones in the fyrmament / y^e one was clere / & that other was derke▪ / as men myghte see thrugh the worlde. ¶And a grete debate was that same tyme agaynst pope Iohan the .xxii. after saynt Petyr. & the emperour of Almayn tho made hym emperour ayenst y^e popys wyll that tho helde hys see at Auinyon. werfore the emperour made hys crye at Rome & ordeyned a nother pope / y^e hyght Nycholas / y^t was a frere Mynor / & that was ayeng the ryght of holy chyrche. wherfore he was cursyd. & the power of that other pope soone layed. And for cause that suche merueylles were seen / men sayde that the worlde was nygh at an ende.

¶Of the dethe of kynge Edwarde of Carnaryuan.

ANd now go we ayen / to syr Edwarde of Carnaryuan y^t was kynge Edwar­des fader somtyme kynge of Englonde. & put downe of hys dygnyte. Alas for his trybulacyon & sorowe that hym befell thrugh fals coun­sell. y^t he louyd & trustyd vpon to moche. y^t after warde were dystroyed thrughe theyr falsnesse as god wolde. ¶And this Edward of Carna­riuan / was in the castel of Berkelay vnder y^e warde & kepynge of syr Moryce of Herkelay / & also of syr Iohn̄ Matreues & to them he ma­de his complaynte of hys sorowe & of his dysesee. & ofte tymes axyed of his wardeyns. what he had trespassyd ayenst dame Isabell hys wyf and syr Edwarde his sone. y^t was made newe kyng / that they wolde not vysyte hym. ¶And tho answerde one of hys wardeyns and sayd. My worthy lord dyspleyse you not y^t I shal telle you the cause is for it is doon them to vnderstonde / that yf my lady youre wyfe came ony thynge nyghe you· that ye wolde her strangle and slee / and also that ye walde doo to my lor­de your sone in the same wyse. ¶Tho answerde he wyth symple there Alas alas am not I in pryson / and all at youre owne wyll / now god yt wote I thought yt neuer / and now I wolde that I were dede / soo wolde god that I were. For thenne were alle my sorowe passyd. ¶It was not longe after that y^e kynge thrugh counsell of Roger Mortymer / graūtyd the warde & kepynge of syr Edward his fader vnto syr thomas Toioursy & to the forsayd syr Iohan Matreuers thrugh the kynges letter / & put out ho­ly the forsayd syr Moryce of the warde of the kynge. And they toke and ladde the kynge vn­to the castell of Corf. the whiche castell the kynge hatyd as ony dethe. And they kept hym there tylle it came vnto saynt / Mathewes daye in Septembre in the yere of grace .M.CCC.xxvii. that the forsayde syr Roger Mortymer sent the maner of the deth / how & in what wyse sholde be done to deth. And anone as the for­sayd Thomas & Iohan had see the letter / & cō ­maundement / they made kynge edwarde Car­nariuan good there: and good solace / as they myght at that soupere / & nothynge the kynge wyst of the traytory. And whan tyme was for to go to bed the kynge went to his bedde & laye and slepte faste. And as the kynge laye and sle­pte the trautours fals forsworne ayenst theyr homage and feaute came pryuely into the kyn­ges chambre / and theyr company wyth them / and layd an huge take vppon his wombe / and wyth men pressyd / and helde faste downe the foure corners of the table on hys body / wher­wyth the good mane a woke / and was wonder sore adradde to be deed and there slayne / and torned hys body vp tho so downe. Tho tooke the fals traytours / and tynauntes an horne. And put it in to hys foundemente as depe as they myghte / and a spyt of copre brennynge / and putte it thrughe the horne in to hys bodye [Page lxxix] and soo they slewe theyr lorde / that noo thynge was perceyued / And after he was enteryd atte Gloucetree.

¶How kynge Edward spowsyd Phylyp y^e erles doughter of Henaude at yorke.

ANd after Crystmasse tho next sewyn­ge syr Iohan of henaude brought with hym Phylyp his brothers doughter / y^t was erle of Henaude hys nece in to Englonde / and the kynge spowsyd her atte yorke. with moche honour. And syr Iohan of Bothum bysshop of Ely / & syr wyllyam of Melton Archebysshop of yorke / sange the masse the Sondaye on the euen of the Conuersyon of saynt Poule / In the yere of grace .M.CCC.xxvii. But bycau­se that the kyng was but yonge & tender of ae­ge whan he was crowned full many wornges were doon whyle that his fader lyued / bycause that he trowed / the counserllers that were fals aboute hȳ / that coūsyelled hym to doo other wise thā reason wold wherfore grete harme was do to y^e reame & to y^e kynge / & all mē dyrected it the kynges dede / & it was not so almyghty god it wote / wherfore it was ordeyned att the kyn­ges crownynge. that y^e kynge for his tender aege / sholde be gouerned by .xii. of the grettest lor­des of Englonde / wythout whome no thynge sholde be doon. That is to say tharchebysshop of Caunterbury / tarchebysshop of yorke / the bysshop of wynchestre / and the bysshop of Herforde / the erle of Lancastre / therle Marchall / & the erle of kent / that were y^e kynges vncles. & the erle of Garenne / syr Thomas wake. Syr Henry Percy. syr Olyuer yngham and Iohan Rous barons / all thyse were sworne truly for to counseyll the kynge. And they shold answer euery yere in parlement / of that that shold be done in the tyme of theyr gouernall / but that ordynaunce was sone vndoon / & that was moche harme to all Englonde / For the kyng & all y^e lordes that sholde gouerne hym were gouer­ned and rulyd after the quene his moder dame Isabell. and by syr Roger Mortymer: and as they wolde all thynge was done / bothe amon­ge hygh and lowe. And they toke vnto theym castels townes londes / and rentꝭ in grete har­me. And losse to the crowne. and of the estate out of all mesure.

¶Howe the peas was made bytwene the Englysshemē and the Scottes and also of Iustyfyenge of Troylesbaston.

Kynge Edwarde at wytsontyde in the se­conde yere of this regne thrughe the coū seyll of his moder / & syr Roger Mortymer / or­deyned a parlemēt at Northampton. & at that parlement y^e kyng thrughe hys coūsell / & none other of y^e londe / within aege grauntyd to be accordyd with y^e scottes in this manere. that all y^e f [...]autees & homages. that y^e scottes sholde do to the crowne of Englonde / foryaue theym for euermore / by hys chartre ensealed. And ferder more an endenture was made of the Scottes vnto kynge Edwarde / that was kynge Hēries sone / whiche endenture they calle it regman. In y^e whyche were conteyned all the homages & feautees / Fyrst of the kyng of Scotlond & of the prelates / erles barons of y^e reame of Scotlonde wyth theyr seales set theron & other chartres & remēbraūcis that kynge Edwarde & his barons had of theyr ryght in y^e forsayd reame of Scotlonde / it was foryeue ayen holy chyr­che / & also with the blake crosse of Scotlond y^e whiche the good kynge Edwarde cōquered in Scotlōde & brought it out of y^e abbay of scone that is a full precyous relyque / & also ferthermore / he relacyd and fully forgaue the londe that the noble barons had before that tȳe in y^e ream of Scotlond / by olde conquest. And ferthermore y^t thys peas for to be holden & cōtynuelly last the Scottes were bounde vnto y^e kynge in xxx. thousande poūde of syluer to be payed wythin thre yere / that is euery yere .x.M. poūde by euē procyons. ¶And ferthermore aboue all this they spake bytwene the partyes aboue sayd. y^e Dauyd Drytonautyer that was kynge Rober­te Brus sone / y^e fals tyraunt▪ & fals forsworne ayenst his othe y^t arose ayenst hys leyge lord y^e noble & good kynge Edward. and falsly made hym kynge of Scotlonde / y^t was of aege .v. yere. And so thys cursyd coūseyll Dauid spoused at Berewyk dame Iohn̄ of y^e Toure / that was kynge Edwardes syster / as the gestes tellyth vpon Mary Mawdeleyns day. in the yere of grace. M.CCC.xxviii. to greate harme & em­payrynge of all the kynges blode wherof that gentyll lady came. alas the tyme / For wonder moche y^e fayer dāoysell dysperagyd / syth that she was maryed ayenst al the comyns wyl and assent of Englonde. And frome the tyme that Brute had conquered Albyon· & named the londe after his owne name. Brytayne: that now is callyd Englonde after the name of Engyst [Page] And so the reame of Scotlonde was holde of the reame of Englond / & of y^e crowne by feaute & homgae. For Brute conquered that londe & yaue it to Albanak / y^t was his seconde sone / And he callyd y^e londe Albayn after hys owne name / soo that hys heyres y^t came after hym. shold holde of Brute & of his heyres / y^t is to say of the kynges of Brytayn / by feaute & homa­ge: And frome that tyme vnto thys tyme of kynge Edwarde / the tame of Scotlond was holde of the reame of Englonde by feaute and seruyce / as aboue ys sayd in the Cronycles of Englonde & of Scotlonde & berythe wytnesse more playnely. And accursyd be y^e tyme that this parlement was holden at Northampton For there by fals councyll. the kyng was there falsly dysheryted and yet he was with in aege. ¶And yet whan that kyng Edward was put out of hys ryalte of Englonde yet men put not out of the feautes & seruyse Scotlonde. Ne of the fraunchyses dysheryted hym for euer mo­re. ¶And neuertheles the grete lordes of eng­londe were ayenst to conferme the peas & the [...]rwes abouesayd / sa [...]f only quene Isabell / y^t tho was the kynges moder Edwarde / and the bysshop of Ely / and the lorde Mortimer. But reason and lawe wolde not that a fynalle peas sholde be made bytwene them without the co­myn assente of Englonde.

¶Of the debate that was bytwene quene Isabell & syr Henry erle of Lancastre & of Leycetre / and of the rydynge of Bedforde.

THen as the for sayde Dauyd had spow­syd dame Iohan̄e of the toure in y^e towne of Berwyk as before is sayde / The Scot­tes in dyspyte of y^e Englysshmen called dame Iohanne the countesse make peas / for the co­wardly peas y^t tho was ordeyned. But y^e kyn­ges persone bare all the wyte and blame wyth wronge of makynge of the accorde / And alle was done thrugh the quene / & Roger Morty­mer. And it was not longe after that the quene Isabell ne toke in to her hondꝭ all the lordshyp of Pountfret almoste all the londes that were of ony value that apperteyned to the crowne of Englonde / Soo the kynge had not to dys­pendede / but of hys vses and of hys escheker / For the quene Isabell & the Mortymer hadde grete mayne of the retenewe y^t folowed y^e kyn­ges courte euer more & went and toke the kyn­ges pryces for her peny worthes at good ch [...] ­pe / wherfore the countre that they came in were / fullsore addrade / and almoost dystroyed of theym. ¶Tho began the comyna [...]te of Eng­londe for to haue enuye to Isabell the quene. y^t somoche louyd her before whan she came ayen for to pursue y^e fals traytours y^e Spensers fro Fraunce. And in that same tyme the fals traytour Roberte of Holonde / that bytrayed hys lorde syr Thomas of Lancastre. was tho de­lyuerde and out of pryson / & was wonder pre­uy witth the quene Isabell / & also with Roger Mortymer. But that auaylld hym but lytyll For he was taken at Myghelmasse y^t tho cam nexte after / as he rode to warde quene Isabell to London / and syr Thomas whyther smote of his heed besydes the towne of saynt Albons And thys syr Thomas dwelled with syr Hen­ry erle of Lancastre / and he put hym asyde for drede of the quene / For the quene loued hym wonder moche. And prayed vnto the kyng for hym that y^e same Thomas might be exyled out of Englonde. And the noble erle syr Henry of Lancastre had often tymes herde the comyn claymore of y^e Enghysshmen / of y^e dysease that were doon in Englond / & also for dyuers wrō ­ges that were done to the comyn people. of the whyche the kyng bare the blame with wronge For he was but fulle yonge & tender of aege. & thought as a good man / for to do awaye / & sla­ke the sklaūder of y^e kynges persone / yf that he myght in ony manere a wyse / so as the kynge was therof nothynge gylty / wherfore he was inperyll of lyf & lymme· ¶And so he assēbled all his retenuwe & wente & spake with them of the kynges honoure / and also for to amende his estate. And syr Thomas Brotherton erle of Marchall / and syr Edmond wodstok / that were the kynges vncles / and also men of Lon­don made theyr othe hym fo. to mayntene in y^e same quarell. And theyr cause was this / that the kynge sholde holde his house and hys mey­ne / as a kyng ought for to do / and haue all his ryalt [...]e· And that the quene Isabell sholde delyuer out of her hondes in to the kynges honde alle manere of lordshyps rentys / townes and castels that apperteyneth vnto the crowne of Englonde as other quenes haue done here be­fore / and medle with none other thynge. ¶And also that syr Roger Mortymer sholde abyde and dwelle vpon his own [...] londes / For [Page lxxix] moche people / In so moche that the comyn people were dystroyed and gretely domaged / thoroughe suche wrongfulle takynge. ¶And also the enquere howe and by whome that the kynge was betrayed and falsly dysceyued att Stanhope / and thrughe whose counseyll that the Scottes went awaye by nyght from the kynge / And also how and thrugh whoos coun­seyll the ordynaūce that were made at the kyn­ges coronacyon / was put downe. That is to saye / that the kynge for amendement and hel­pynge of his reame / & in honour of hym sholde be gouerned and rulyd by .xii. of the grettest & wysest lordes of the reame / and wythout them Sholde no thynge be grauntyd ne done / as before is sayd / whiche couenauntes were malicyously put downe fro the kynge / where many harmes. shamys and repreues haue falle to the kyng & hys reame / and that is to vnderstonde for asmoche as Edwarde kynge of Englonde some tyme / was ordeyned by assent in playne parlement for to be vnder warde & gouernaunce of Henry erle of Lancastre his cosyn / for saluacyon of hys dody he was take out of the cas­tell of Kenilworth / there that he was in warde. & thrugh colour of quene Isabell / & of the Mortymer without consent of ony parlement they tooke & ladde hym there that neuer after none of his kynred / myght wyth hym speke ne see. & after tratorursly toke & morored hym for who­se deth arose a sklaūdre thrugh all crystendom whan it was done. And also the tresore y^e syre Edwarde of Kernaruian left in many places in Englonde and in walys was wastyd & bor­ne awaye / wythout the wyll of kynge Edwarde his sone / in dystruccyō of hym & of al his folke. ¶Also thrughe whose counseyll / that y^e kynge yaue vp the kyngdom of Scotlond / for the whiche reame / the kynges aūcetours had full sore traueiled / and so dyd many a noble mā for theyr ryght / & was delyuered vnto dauyd that was Robert brus sone all y^e ryght / y^t no ryght had to the reame. as all the world it wyst. And also by whom the chartres & remēbraunces y^t they had of the ryght Scotlond were take out of the tresory / taken to the Scottes the kynges enmyes / to dysheritynge of hym and of his successours / & to grete harme of hys lyeges / & grete repreef to all Englysshemen for euer more. ¶Also wherfore dame Iohan of the toure the kynges syster Edward / was dysperagyd and maryed vnto Dauyd that was Robertbrus sone. that was a traytour & enmye vnto Englonde. & thrugh whoos counseyl she was take into our enmyes hondes out of Englonde. ¶And in this meane whyle. y^e good erle Henry of Lā castre & hys companie toke counseyl how those poyntes aboue sayd myght be amended to the worshyp of the kynge & to hys profyte & to the profyte of his leygꝭ / and the quene Isabel thrughe coniectynge & also of the Mortymers lete ordeyne a parlement at Salysburye. And at y^e same parlement / the Mortymer was made erle of Marche ayenst all the barons wyll of Englonde in preiudyce of y^e kyng & of hys crowne And syr Iohan of Eltham the kynges brother was gyrde with a swerde of Corne waylle. and tho was callyd erle of Corne waylle. & euer more quene Isabell procuryd so moche ayenst her sone y^e kyng / that she had the warde of y^e forsayde syr Edward & of his lōdes. And at that par­lemente the erle of Lancastre wolde not come / But ordeyned all his power ayenst quene Isabel and the Mortymer / And men of London ordeyned them with fyue hūdred men of armys. ¶Whan quene Isabel wist of the doynge [...] swore by god and by hys names full angerly / that in an euell tyme he thought vppon tho po­yntes / Tho sente the quene Isabell & the Mortymer after theyr retenwe & after the kyngys retenewe / soo that they had ordeyned amonge them an huge hoste. And they counseylled the kynge / so that vppon a nyght [...] they rode .xxiii. myles to Bedford / there the erle of Lancastre was with his company / and thought to haue hym dystroyed / and that nyght she rode besyde the kynge her sone as a knyght for drede of de­the. And it was done the kyng to vnderstond / that the erle Henry of Lancastre and hys company wolde haue dystroyed the kyng and hys counseylle for euer more / wherfore the kynge was somdele to wardes hym heuy and anoye [...] ¶Whan the erle Marshall and therle of Ken­te the kynges brother herde of thys tydynges / they rode soo in message bytwene theym / that the kynge grauntyd hym hys peas to therle Henry of Lancastre / for a certayne raunsom­me of an leuen thousande pounde / But that was neuer payed afterwarde. And thyse were the lordes that helde with Syr Henry of Lancastre. Syr Beaumont / syr Fouk fytz waren syr Thomas Rocelyn / Syr wyllyam Trus­dr [...] [Page] [...]ynghtes moo that were to hym consented / and alle those were exyled thrughe coun­seylle of the quene Isabell and of Mortymer. For y^e Mortymer wayted to haue theyr lōdes yf that he myght thrugh ony maner coniectynge / For he was to coueytous & hadde to moche his wyll and that was grete pyte.

¶How kynge Edwarde went ouer the see for to doo his homage vnto the kynge of Fraū ce / for the duchye of Guyhenne.

IT was not longe after that the kyng of Fraunce / thrugh counseyll of hys Don­zepers / sente to kynge Edwarde of Englode that he sholde come to Parys & do his homage as reason it wolde / for the duchye of Guyon / & so thrughe coūsell of the lordes of Englonde kynge Edwarde went ouer see. And at the As­cyon tyde / he came vnto Parys / the thyrde yere of his regne / for to do his homage vnto the kyng of fraūce. & the kyng receyued hys homage / & made of hym moche Ioy & worshyp / but whan kynge Edwarde had done hys homage hastyly he was sent for in to Englonde thrugh the quen Isabell his moder & anone hastyly he came ayen in to Englonde / vpon wytsonday without ony takynge leue of y^e kynge of Fraū ce. wherfore he was wonder wrothe.

¶How syr Roger Mortymer bare hym proudely and soo hyghe.

ANd now shall ye here of syr roger mortymer of wygmore that desyred and coueted to be at an hygh astate / so that the kyng grauntyd hym to be callyd erle of Marche thorughe out all hys lordshyp. And he became soo proude & hauteyn / y^t he wolde lese & forsake the name y^t his elders had euer be fore / & for y^e cau­se he let hym calle erle of marche. And none of the comnyns of Englonde durste calle hym by other name / for he was callyd so by y^e kyngys crye. that men shold calle hym erle of Marche And mortymer bare hym so hauteyn & so proude that wonder it was for to wyte. & also dys­guysed hym with wōnder ryche clothes out of al manere of reason / both of shapynge and of werynge. wher of the Englysshmen had grete wonder / how / and in what manere he myght contryue or fynde suche manere pryde. & they s [...]yd amonge them comynly / y^t his pryde shol­de not longe endure. ¶And the same tyme syr Gyffray Mortymer the yonge / that was mortymers sone. lete calle hym kynge of foly / and so it befell after warde in dede / for he was soo full of pryde and of wretchydnesse / that he helde a rounde table in walys / to all men that the der came / and coūterfeted the doynge and the manere of kyng Arthurs table / but openly he fayled / for the noble kynge Arthur was y^e moost noble lord of renomme / that was in all the worlde in hys tyme & yet came neuer none su­che after / For all y^e noble knyghtes ī all crystē dom of dedys of armys assayed / dwellyd wyth kynge Arthur / & helde hym for there lorde and souerayne / And that was well seen / for he conquered in a bataylle a Romayne y^t was callyd Froll. And gate of hym the reame of Fraunce and slewe hym wyth hys owne hondes / & also he faught with a gyaunt that was callyd Dy­nabus / & slewe hym that had rauysshed fayre Elayne that was kyng Howels ne [...]e / kynge of lytyll Brytayn & after he slewe in bataylle the Emperour of rome / y^t was callyd Lucye / that hadde assembled ayenst Arthur / for to fyghte wyth hym so moche people of Romayns and Pebytes & sarasyns / that no man cowde nom­bre them / and he dyscomfyted them alle as the story tellyth ¶And in that same thyme comyn voyce spronge in Englond thrugh coniectyn­ge and ordynaunce of the frere prechers / that syr Edwarde of Carnariuan / that was kyng Edwardes fader of whome the geste tellyth / sayde that he was alyue in the castell of Corf / wherof all the comyns of Englonde almoost were ī sorowe and drede / whether that it were soo or not / For they wist not how traytoursly Mortymer had hym done murthred.

¶How Edmonde of wodstok that was erle of Kente & the kynges brother Edwarde of Carnaryuan / was heedyd at wynchestre.

ANd vppon a tyme it befell soo / that syr Edmonde of wodstok erle of Kent spa­ke vnto pope Iohan the .xxii. at Auinion / & sayde that almyghty god had ofte tymes done for Thomas loue of Lancastre many grete myracles to many men and wymmen / y^t were thru­ghe dyuers maladyes vndoone. ¶As vnto the worlde / and thrughe his prayer they were broughte vnto there helthe. and soo syr Edmonde prayed the pope hertely that he wolde graunt hym grace / the forsayde Thomas myghte be traunslatyd. But the pope sayde naye that he sholde not be traunslatyd / vnto the tyme that he were better certyfyed of the clergye of Englond [Page lxxx] and seen by theyr obedyence what thynge god had done for the loue of saynt Thomas of Lācastre after the suggestiō that the forsayd erle of Kent hadde vnto hym made And whan this Edmonde saw that he myght not spede of his purpos: as touchynge the traunslacion He prayed hȳ of coūsell. as touchynge syr Edwarde of Carnariuan hys brother / & sayd. that not longe agon he was kynge of Englonde / what thynge myghte beste be done as touchynge his delyueraūce / sythe y^t a comune fame was thr­ugh Englonde y^t he is alyue. hole & sauf whā y^e pope herde hȳ tell y^t syr Edwarde was alyue. He cōmaūded y^e erle vpō his blyssynge. that he sholde helpe with all the power that he myght / that he were deliuered out of pryson / & saue his body in all manere that he myght. And to brynge this thynge to an ende he assoyled hym & his cōpany a pena et culpa) & all that to his delyueraūce. Tho toke Edmond of wodstok his leue of y^e pope & came ayen into Englōde / & whā syr Edmonde was come / some of y^e frere prechers came & sayd that syr Edwarde his brother yet was alyue in y^e castell of Corf / vnder y^e kepyn­ge of syr Thomas Gurnay. tho sped hȳ the forsayd Edmonde as fast as he myght / tyll he ca­me to y^e castel of Corf / & acquaynted hym & spake so fayre to Iohn̄ Dauerel / that was conestable of the same castell / & yaue hym ryche yeftes for to haue acquayntaunce of hym & to knowe of his coūsell. And thus it befel that the forsayd Edmonde prayed specyally to tel hym pryuely of his lorde his brother syr Edward / yf that he lyued or were deed / & yf he were alyue he pray­ed hym ones to haue a syght of hym. And this syr Iohn̄ Daueryl was a hygh herted mā & ful of courage / & answerde shortly to syr Edmond & sayd / that syr Edwarde hys brother was in helth. & vnder hys kepynge. & durst not shewe hym vnto no man syth it was defended him in the kyngys halfe Edwarde / y^t was Edwardes sone of Carnuariuan & also by the cōmaunde­ment of quene Isabel y^e kynges moder / & of syr Roger Mortymer / that he sholde shewe hys body to noo mā of the world sauf only to thē vpō lyf & lym̄e & disherytynge of his heyres for euer more. But the fals traytour falsly lyed. For he was not in his warde / but was take thēs and lad to the castell of Berkeley by syr Thomas of gurney by the cōmaūdemente of Mortymer tyll he was dede as before is sayd / But syr Edmonde of wodstok wyst no thynge that syr ed­warde his brother was deed / wherupon he to­ke a letter vnto kyng Edward his brother as to his worthy lorde & receyued y^e letter of hym and behyght hym ryght faythful to do his message without fayll. And with that syr Edmonde toke leue of the forsayd Iohn̄ / and yede into his owne coūtre & lordshyp in kent that he had there. Anone as this same Iohan wist. that syr Edmonde was gone into Kent his owne lordshyp. anone he went in all y^e hast that he myght fro the Castell of Corf & came vnto syr Roger Mortymer and toke hym the letter that syr Ed­mond of wodstok erle of Kent had taken hym closyd and ensealed with his owne seale / And whan syr Roger Mortymer had receyued the letter / he vnclosed it / and sawe that was con­teyned therin / & began it to rede. wherof the be­gynnynge was this. ¶Worshyppes and reuerence wyth brother alyegaunce & subieccyon / syr knyȝt worshypfull & dere brother [...] yf it you please I praye you hertely that ye be in gode cō forthe / for I shall soo ordeyn for you y^t ye shall come out of prysō & be delyuered of that dysese that ye ben in / and vnderstondyth of your gre­te lordshyp / that I haue to myn assentynge all moost all the grete lordes of Englonde wyth all theyr apperyll / that is to say wyth armour with tresour wythout nombre / for to maynte­ne your quarell so ferforth / that ye shall be kynge agayn as ye were before / and that they ha­ue sworne to me vpon a boke / and aswell prelates as erles and barons. ¶Whan syr Roger Mortymer saw & vnderstode / the myght and the strenth of the letter anone his hert for wra­the began to boll and euyll herte bare to ward syr Edmōde of wodstok that was erle of kent. and wyth all the hast that he myght / he wente vnto dame Isabell the quene / that was y^e was the kynges moder / & shewed her syr Edmonds letter / his wyll and his purpose and how that he had coniected & ordeyned to put downe kyn­ge Edwarde of wyndsore her sone. of his ryalte and of his kyngdome / Nowe certes syr Ro­ger sayd she hathe syr Edmonde done so now by my faders soule sayde she / I wyll be therof auenged / yf that god graunte me lyf / and that in a shorte tyme. And with that quene Isabell wente vnto kynge Edwarde her sone / there he was att the parlemente at wynchestre. to haue [Page] amende the wrongys and the trespasses that were done amonge the people of hys reame / & tho she toke and shewed hym the letter that syr Edmond of wodstok had made / and ensealed with hys owne seale and badde hym vpon her blessynge. that he sholde be auengyd vpon syr edmond as vpon his dedely enmye. Tho was the quene sore wrothe to warde syr Edmonde erle of Kente. And sessyd neuer to praye vntyll her sone / tyll that he had sente in all the hast after hym. And vpon that the kynge sent by hys letters after syr Edmoode of wodstok / that he sholde come & speke wyth hym att wynchestre all manere thinge left. And whan syr edmond sawe that the kynge sente after hym wyth hys letters ensealed / ye hastyd hym in alle y^t he my­ghte tylle that he came to wynchestre. ¶But whan the quene wyst that syr Edmonde was come to wynchestre tho anone she prayed and so faste wende vnto kynge edwarde her sone / that the good erle was arested anone / and ladde vnto the barre before Robert of Hamonde that was Coroner of the kynges housholde. And he assocyed vnto hym syr Roger Morty­mer. And tho spake the for sayd Roger and sayde syr edmonde erle of Kent / ye shall vnderstō de that it is done vs to wyte / and pryncypally vnto our lyege lorde the kynge edwarde of englonde almyghty god hym saue and kepe / that ye be his deedly enmye / and a traytoure / and also a comune enmye to the reame and that ye haue ben aboute many a day. For to make pryue delyueraunce of syr edwarde somtyme kyn­ge of englonde your broder / the whiche somtyme was put downe of hys ryaltee by y^e comyn assent of the lordes of englond / in peasynge of our lorde the kynges estate / and also of his reame. ¶Tho answerd the good man and sayd / For soth syr vnderstonde well that I was ne­uer traytoure to my kynge / ne to the reame / & that I doo me on god / and on all the worlde / & therfore by my kynges leue. I shalle it preue & defende as a man ought for to do. ¶Tho say­de Mortymer. syr Edmonde. it is so ferfor the knowe that it may not be well gaynsayd / and that in presence of all that here been. it shalle be well prouyd. Now had this fals mortymer the same letter that syr edmonde hadde take to Syr Iohan Daueryll in the castell of Corf for to take to kynge edwarde hys brother that syr Edmonde wyst not of ne supposed no thynge that syr Iohn̄ Daueryll had be so fals to dely­uer his letter in suche wyse vnto Mortymer. And thought no manere of thynge of that let­ter. Thenne Mortymer sayd to syr edmonde / and shewed a letter sealed. & axed hym yf that he knewe y^e letter and y^e seale. This syr edmonde lokyd theron / & auysed hym longe tyme on the prynte of the seale / for he myght not see the letter with in. and wyst well that it was his se­ale / & thought that it had be somme letter that had bore no grete charge / & thought no thinge of that other letter. And sayd openly in heryn­ge of them all / ye for soth thys is my seale. and I wyll it not for sake. ¶Lo sayde the Morty­mer / syres ye here al what he hath sayd / & that he knowlegyth hym that this is his letter & hys seale. And now ye shall here what is conteyned therin / & thenne Mortymer openyd the letter that he had folde tofore togyder. & redde it openly worde by worde in herynge of theym all / & whan the letter was redde / he sayd / Loo syres ye haue herde alle y^e herin is wrytē / and that he hath knowlegyth that this is his letter & his seale. & he may not go therfro / And thenne they cryed & yaue dome / that he sholde be hangyd & drawen / & hys heed smyten of in a manere of a traytour & he & hys heyres dysheryted for euer more / & so he was ladde forth and put in to pryson. and whan this was done. & the quene wist that he was dampned by way of lawe / both of lyf and of lym̄e / & hys heyres dysheryted for e­uermore. thrugh open knowlegynge in playn­court / where them thought that it were good / that the forsayd syr Edmond were hastyly slayne / wythout wyttynge of the kyng / or elles the kynge wolde lyghtly foryeue hym hys dethe / & thenne it shode torne theym so moche sorowe / so as he was empechyd / And anone the quene thrugh counseyll of the Mortymer / and wyth out ony other counsell sent in hast to the Baylyfe of wynchestre that they sholde smyte of Syr Edmondes heed Erle of Kente wythout ony manere abydynge or respyte vpon payne of lyf and lymme. And that he sholde haue none other execusyon / By cause of caryenge not withstandynge the Iugement. Tho toke the Baylyes syr edmonde out of pryson / and lad­de hym besyde the castell of wynchestre / & the­re they made a gonfermer smyte of hys heed / for none other durste it doo / and soo he deyed there / alas the whyle. That is to say the tenth [Page lxxxxi] daye of Octobre / the thyrde yere of kynge Edwarde regne. ¶And whan the kyng wist therof / he was wonder sory / and lete entyere hym at the frere Mynors at wynchestre.

¶Of the deth of syr Roger Mortymer Erle of Marche.

ANd so it befell at that tyme that syr Roger Mortymer erle of y^e Marche / was so proude and so hauteyne that he helde no lor­de of the reame his pere. And tho became he so coueytous / that he folowed dame Isabell the quenes courte that was kynge Edwards mo­der and beset hys peny worth with the offycers of the quenes house holde in the same manere that the kynges offycers dyde. And so he made his takynge / as touchynge of vytayle and also of caryages / and all he dyde for bycause of ex­pencys / and to gadre tresoure / And so he dyde without nombre in all that he myght. ¶Tho had he made hym wonder preuy wyth the que­ne Isabell / And so moche lordshyppe and rete we had / that all the grete lordes of Englonde of hym were adrad wherfore the kyng and his counseylle / to warde hym were agreued / And ordeyned amonge them to vndo hym thorou­ghe pure reason and lawe for cause that kynge Edwarde that was y^e kȳges fader traytoursly thrugh hym was murdred in the castel of Corf as before is sayde more playnly in some parte of his boke / of his deth. ¶And some that were of the kynges counseyll louyd Mortymer / & tolde hym in preuyte / how that y^e kynge & counsel were aboute from daye to daye / hym for to dy­stroye and vndo wherfore Mortymer was sore anoyed & angry as the deuyll ayenst them of the kynges counseyll / & say he wolde of them be auenged / how so euer he toke on. ¶It was not longe afterwarde / that kynge Edward & dame Phylyp his wyf / & dame Isabell the kynges moder. and syr Roger Mortymer / ne wen­te vnto Notyngham there for to soiurne / And so it befell that quene Isabel thrugh coūseyll of Mortymer / toke to her the keyes of the yates of the castell of Notyngham. So that no man myght come nother in ne out but thrugh com­maundement of Mortymer / ne the kynge / ne none his coūseylle. ¶And that tyme it fel. that the Mortymer as a deuyll for wrath bolled / & also for wrathe that he had ayenst the kynges men Edward / and pryncypally ayenst theym that had hym accusyd to the kynge / of the deth of syr Edwarde his fader. ¶And pryuely a coū seyll was take bytwene quene Isabell and the Mortymer and the bysshop of Lyncoln & syre Symōde of Bedford / and syr Hugh of Trom­pyngton / & other preuy of theyr counseyll / for to vndo theym all that the Mortymer had ac­cusyd vnto the kynge of his faders deth / of treason & of felonye. ¶Wherfore all tho that we­re of the kynges coūseyll / whan they wist of the Mortymers castynge: pryuely came to kynge Edwarde and sayd / that Mortymer wold theym dystroye / bycause that they had hym accu­syd of kynge Edwardes dethe. his fader \ And prayed hym that he wolde mayntene them in theyr ryght. ¶And thyse were the lordes that pursued this quarell / Syr wyllyam of Mountagu / syr wyllyam de Bohum / Syr wyllyam his broder / syr Rauf Stafforde / syr Robert of Herforde / syr wyllyam of Clynton / syr Iohan Neuell of Hornby and many other of theyr cō ­sent. And all thyse swore vpon a boke to mayntene the quarell / in as moche as they myghte. And it befell so after· that syr wyllyam Moun­tagu ne none of the kynges frendes muste not be herberowed in the castell for the Mortyme [...] but went and toke theyr herberowe in dyuerse place of the twone of Nothyngham. And tho were they sore a ferde / leest that mortymer sholde theym dystroye. And in haste they came vnto kyng Edward syr wyllyam of Mauntagu and other that were in the castell. And pryuely hym tolde / that he ne none of hys cōpany. sholde not take the Mortymer. without counseyll & helpe of wyllyam of Elande. constable of the same castell. ¶Now truelye sayd the kynge I loue you well· & therfore I counseyl you that ye go to the forsayd conestable / & commaūde hym in my name / that he be your frende and youre helpe / for to take the mortymer / al thynge yleft vpon peryll of lyf & lym̄e. ¶Tho sayd Mountagu Syr my lorde graunt mercy ¶Tho wente forthe the forsayd Mountagu / and came to the Conestable of the castell / and tolde hym the kynges wyll. ¶And he answerde and sayde· The kynges wyll sholde be doone in as moche as he myghte. and that he wolde not spare for no manere of dethe / And that he swore and made his othe. ¶Tho sayde syr wyllyam of Moū ­tagu to the constable / in herynge of them alle. that were helpynge to the same quarell. Now certes dere frende / vs behouyth to werke & do [Page] by your aduys for to take the Mortymer / syth that ye be keper of the castell. and hath the keyes in your warde. ¶Syr sayd the Constable / wyll ye vnderstonde / that the castell yates ben lockyd with the keyes that dame Isabell sent hyther. and by nyght she hath the keyes ther of and layeth them vnder the lursell of the bedde vnto the morowe. and so ye maye not come in to the castell by the yates / by no manere of wyse / But I knowe an aleye that stretchythoute of the warde vnder the erthe in to the for sayde castell / that gothe in to the weste. whiche aleye dame Isabel the quene / ne none of her men ne the Mortymer / ne none of his company kno­with it not. And so I shall lede you thrugh y^e a­ley / & so ye shall come in to the castell withoute aspyenge of ony man y^t are your enmyes. And the same nyghe syr wyllyam Mountagu / & all the lordes of his quarell / & the same Constable also went theym to hors / & made semblaūt as it were for to go out of Mortymers syght But anone as Mortymer harde thys tydynges / he wende y^t they wolde haue gone ouer see for fere of hym. ¶And anone ryght he & his cōpanye toke a coūseyll amonge theym for to lete theyr passage / & snetelletters anone to the porters so that none of the grete lordes sholde go home to theyr owned coūtrees / but yf they were arested & take. And amonge other thynges wyllyam Elande Conestable of the for sayd castell. pry­uely ladde syre wyllyam of Mountagu & hys company by the for sayd waye vnder the erth / tyll they came in to the castell & went vp in to the toure that Mortymer was in. But syr Hughe of Trompynton theym ascryed hydously and sayd a traytours it is all for nought. that ye ben comyn in to this castell ye shall deye yet an euell dethe euerychone. And anone one of theim that was in Mountages company vp wyth a mace / and smote the same Hugh vpon the heed / that the brayne braste out and fell on the grounde / and soo was he deed of an euyll deth. ¶Tho toke they mortymer as he armyd hym at the toures dore / whan he herde the noyse of theym for drede. ¶And whan the quene Isablell sawe that the Mortymer was taken she made moche sorowe in herte / & thyse wor­des vnto theym she sayd / Now fayre syres / I praye you that ye doo noo harme to his body a thy knyght our welbeloued frende and our dere cosyn. ¶Tho wente they thens / and came and brought Mortymer / and presentyd hym vnto kynge Edwarde / & he commaunded to brynge hym in saue warde. ¶But anone as they that were consentynge vnto mortymers doynge / herde tell that he was taken they wente & hydde them / and pryuely by nyght wente out of the towne eche one his waye / with heuy herte and mornynge chere & lyued vpon theyr londes as well as they myghte. ¶And that sa­me yere that Mortymer was take. He hadde .ix. score knyghtes without quyres and sergaū tes of armys / & fote men / And then̄e was mortymer ladde to London / and syr Edmonde of Bedforde was ladde wyth hym / and was ta­ken to y^e constable of the toure to kepe. ¶But after warde was the Mortymers lyfe examy­ned at westmestre before the kynge / and befo­re all the geate lordes of Englonde / for peryll that myght falle to the reame / And to enquer [...] also whiche were consentynge to syr Edwar­des dethe the kynges fader / & also thrugh whome the Scottes escaped fro Stanhope in scotlonde / without leue of kynge Edwarde. And also how y^e chartre of ragman was delyuered vnto the Scottes them the homages and feautees of the lordes of Scotlōde were conteyned that the Scottes sholde doo euer more to the Englysshe kynge for the reame of Scotlond / wherfore he was Iugyd to be drawen and hangyd for his treason / And this myscheyf came vnto hym on saynt Andrewes euen. In the yere of the Incarnacyon of our lorde Ihesu cry­ste .M.CCC.xxx.

¶Howe kynge Edwarde gate ayen vnto hym gracyously the homages and feautees of Scotlonde / wherof he was put oute thrughe y^e false counseyll of the quene Isabell his moder & syre Roger Mortymer. that was newely made Erle of Matche.

NOw haue ye herde how Iohan Bayl­lol in the tyme of peas was chosen to be kynge of Scotlonde for cause that he came of the eldest doughter of the Erle Dauyd of Huntyngton / that was kynge Alysanders broder of Scotlond / that deyed without heyre of hys body begoten / And how this Iohan made his feaute and homage to kynge Edwarde / Hen­ryes sone the thyrde. for his londes of Scotlonde / And how he afterwarde with sayd hys homage / thrugh counseyll of the Scottes / in the yere of our lorde ·M.CC.lxxiiii. and sente vnto [Page lxxxxii] the pope thrugh. a fals suggestyō that he made hys othe vnto the forsayd kynge Edwarde ouer hys estate and his wil / of the whyche othe the pope hym assoyled thrughe hys bullys to hym ysent. ¶And anone as kynge Edwarde wyst therof / he ordeyne anone hys barons and came vnto Berwyk / and cōquered the towne. at the whyche conquest there were slayne .xxv. thousande & .vii. hundred. & Bayllol that was kyng of Scotlond came & yeldyd hym to gode kynge Edwarde / & y^e kyng delyuered hym out of the toure of London. and all the grete lordes with hym y^t tho were taken at Berwyk & yaue theym saufconduyte / to goo into Scotlonde. And the Scottes sythe thrugh theyr falsnesse / warred vpon the good kynge Edwarde. And whan syr Iohan Bayloll kynge of Scotlonde sawe all this / he wente ouer see vnto Dunpier and lyued there vpon hys londes as well as he myght. tyll that y^e Scottes wolde amende the­ym of theyr mysdedys and trespaas / and ladde with hym syr Edwarde his sone. wherfore the Scottes in dyspyte of hym callyd hym syr Iohan Turnlabard / for bycause that he wolde not ne offend ne trespaas ayenst the good kyn­ge Edwarde of Englonde. And soo he for soke hys reame of Scotlonde / and sette therof but lytyll pryce. And this syr Iohan dwellyd longe tyme in Fraunce / tyll that he deyed there & syr Edward his sone receyued hys herytage / and dyde homage to the kynge of Fraunce / for his londes of Dunpier / And so it befell afterwar­de / that Edward that was Iohan Bayllols sone / had with hym a squyre of Englond y^t was in yorke shyre / that was callyd Iohan of Barnaby / and this Edwarde Bayllol louyd hym moche / and was nyghe hym / & full preuy. And so this Iohn̄ of Barnaby was in debate with a Frenche man in the towne of Dunpier / & so he slewe hym and wente hys way in all the ha­ste that he myghte in to the castell. For to haue socoure and helpe of hys lorde. And anone ca­me offycers of the towne. to take Iohn̄ of Barnaby as a felon. and syr Edward his lorde holpe hym / and rescowed hym / and by nyght made hym go out of the castell / and so he went hys waye and came in to Englonde withoute ony harme. ¶And whan the kyng of fraunce saw that syr Edwarde had rescowed his felon. He became wonder wrothe ayenst syr Edward. & anone lete hym arestyd and toke into hys hon­des all his londes. Tho dwellyd syr [...] Edward in pryson / vnto the tyme that syr Henry of Beaumount came into fraunce / the whiche Henry somtyme was erle of Anguysshe in Scot­londe and was put out therof whan chacordement was bytwene Englonde and Scotlond thrugh the quene Isabell and syr Roger Mortymer and theyr company for y^e moryage that she made bytwene Dauyd / that was Roberte Brus sone and dame Iohanne of Tour kynge Edwards syster of Englond / & well vnderstonde thys / that att the ende he sholde come to his ryght / but yf it were syre Edwarde Baylloll / that was ryght heyre of the reame of Scotlonde. ¶And the kyng of fraunce Lowys lo­uyd moche this syr Henry. And he was wyth hym full preuy / and thought for to make a de­lyueraunce of syr Edward Baylloll / yf he myghte in ony maner of wyse. ¶Tho prayed he the kynge that he wolde of his grace gaūt hym syre Edwarde Bayllols body / vnto the nexte parlement. that he myght lyue with hys owne rentes in the meane tyme / and that he myghte stonde to be Iugyd with his perys att the par­lement. And the kynge grauntyd hym his prayer / and made the forsayde Edwarde to be delyuered out of pryson / in the manere aboue sayd And anone as he was out of pryson syr Henry toke hym forth with hym & ladde hym in to en­glonde / and made hym dwelle pryuely att the manere of Sandhall vpon Ouse in yorke shyre with the lady Vescy. And soo he ordeyned hym there an huge retenewe of Englysshmen and also of alyuntes / for to conquere ayen his herytage / and so he yaue moche syluer vnto y^e souldyours and alyauntes for to helpe hym [...] And they behyght for to helpe hym in that they myght / but they faylled hym att hys moost ne­de. ¶And at that tyme Dauyd erle of Moryf herde tell how that syr Edward Bayloll was pryuely come into englond. And came to hym and made wyth hym gerte Ioye of his comynge and sayd vnto hym and behyght hym that all the greate lordes of Englonde / sholde be to hym entendaunte / & sholde hym holde for kyn­ge as ryght heyre of Scotlōde / and dyd to hym feaute· ¶Tho came syr Henry of Beaumonte to kynge edwarde of Englonde. And prayed hym in the waye of charyte / that he wolde graunt of his greate vnto syr Edwarde Baylloll that he myghte sau [...]ly goo by londe frome [Page] Sandhall / vnto Scotlonde / to conquere hys ryght & herytaunce in Scotlond. ¶The kynge answerde & sayde / yf that I suffre Bayllol. go thrugh my londe in to Scotlonde. thenne the people wolde saye / y^t I shold be assentynge vnto the company. ¶Now syr I praye you y^t ye wolde yeue hym leue to take with hym soul­dyours of Englysshmen that they myght saufly lede hym thrugh your londe to Scotlonde / And syr vpno thys couenaunte that yf it so be­fall / as god it for bydde that he dyscomfyted in bytayll thrugh the Scottes / that I and also al the lordes that holde with Bayllol / ben for e­uer more out of our rentes that we haue in en­glonde. And there the kynge vppon this coue­naunte / grauntyd theyr bone / as towchynge hym / and tho that were of the same quarell the whiche claymed for to haue londes and rentes in the reame of Englonde And thyse were the names of tho lordes that pursued this for sayd matere and quarell. ¶That is to saye / syr Edwarde Bayllol / the whiche chalengyd the reame of Scotlonde. syr Henry Beaumonte erle of Angusshe / syr Dauyd of Stroboly erle of a theles / syr Geffray of Mombraye / walter Comyn and many other that were put out of theyr herytage in Sctlonde whan the peas was made bytwene Englonde and Scotlonde as before is sayde / And ye shall vnderstonde that thyse lordes tooke with theym fyue houndred men of armes. and two thousande Archers & of fote men. and tho wente in to shyppe at Ra­uen. pore / & sayled by the see / tylle that they ca­me vnto Scotlond. and came to londe at Kynkehorne .xii. myle fro saynt Iohannes towne / And anone sent out there shyppes agayne / for that they shold not be hurte / ne empeyred / neyther taht no man sholde go in to the shyppes a­gayne thoughe that they had nede / but abybe all perylles and not flee but stonde / and rather suffre deth than flee for to mayntene their true quarell. whan the erle of Fyffe. a fyers man & a sterne / harde that Bayllol was come / for to taste the londe of Scotlond / he came in hast to Kynke horne / with ·iii. thousand Scottes / for to dystroye hym / that he shold not come to londe / But syr Edwarde Bayllol and his company there hym dyscomfyted / at the whiche dys­comfyture syr Alysāder Seton was there slayne / & many other. The Erle of Fyffe / was th [...] sore and full euyll ashamyd / that so lytyll a cō ­pany had hym dyscomfyted / and shamefully put hym and all his company that were alyue for to flee. ¶Tho came syr Edwarde Bayllol and toke the coō tree all aboute hym. tyll he ca­me vnto the abbay of Dūfermlin. and ther he founde vytaylles for hym and for his folke / & amonge all other thynge he founde in a chambre aboute fyue houndred of grete staues of [...] fyne oke with longe prykes of yren. and of stele And he toke them & delyuerd them to the moste strōgest men of his companye. And anone after he yede fro thens. And lodged hym in a fel­de .ii. myles from saynt Iohānes towne. And whan the burgeys of the towne herde how the erle of Fyffe was dyscomfyted thrughe Bayl­loll. brake y^e brydges that they had made ouer the water of Erne. so that Bayllol myght not go ouer / wherfore he lodged hym there all that nyght / but lytyll hede he toke of reste. and say­de vnto his people / Now dere lordes ye know full well. that ben now lodged bytwene our enmyes / and they maye vs hampre / there is noo bote but dethe. wherfore yf we abyde stylle all this nyght· I wene it shall torne vs to moche harme. For the power of Scotlonde may eue­ry wexe and encrece and we maye not so doo. And we ben but lytylle people ayenste theym wherfore I praye you for the loue of almyghty god make we vs bolde and hardy and that we may myghtely take the Scottes this nyght / & boldly werre vpon theym. and lete vs pursue theym thys nyghte. And yf they be trauaylled thorugh vs. & see our hardynesse. other Scot­tes that see them so traueylled and wery· the sorer woll they be adradde with vs to fyght and fyersly thenne shall we fyght with them. And on them pursue. Soo that thrughe the grace of god / all the worlde shall speke of the doughty­nes of our chyualry. ¶And syres vnderstondeth wel that all the companye that came with syr Robert Baylloll / graunted well vnto that counseyll / and were therof ryght gladde. and anone pursued vppon the Scottes. that they became wonder wery. And Baylloll & his company sore folowed them / and dyde them mo­che harme and sorowe / thrugh ther assente. so that thy myght not for feblynesse theym helpe and for lytyl people. ¶But tho sayd the Scottes amonge them / what is nowe befall that so lytyll a people as Baylloll hath in wynge doth vs so moche traueyll and sorowe Now certes [Page lxxxxiii] it semyth vs that he werketh by grace / for he is wonder gracyous in hys quarell and we certes shall be dede or that we maye come to hym vs for to yelde Sith that his fader sete of vs no pryce. ¶And amonge alle hys other thynges Baylloll and his people passed the water of Erne so that Robert Swynerton the sone was fyers and angrye / and wente forthe and they sa­we people of armys full well arayed. and forth they wente vnto them and wyth them faught And slewe and toke as many as wolde abyde: And neuertheles at that assewte they wende it had be the grete hoste of Scotlond. And whan it came to the morowe. they gadred theym to­gyder / and restyd theym a whyle· ¶And whyle the Englysshemen rested them / the noble baron Thomas Vescy / and the noble barō / Stafforde / pryckyd theyr hors vp and downe by the hylles / for to kepe the estrees of the countree / & as they pryckyd vp and downe. they saw a grete host of gode araye ordeyned in theyr wynge with helmes and sheldes shynynge comynge vpon them. and then̄e came tho two barōs ayen vnto Bayllols folke / & sayd. Now for the loue of god almyghty be of good cōforth for ye shall haue batayll an one ryght. ¶And tho spake syr fouk the sone of Garenne· a baran of greate renowne and of dedys of armys / Syres vnderstonde what I wyll saye / I haue seen many dyuers wynges / as well amonge sarasyns and Iewes / as amonge the Scottes / and yet sawe I neuer the fourthe parte of the wynge fyght. & therfore yf ye wyl abyde our enmyes / we ben ynough for them. but yf we be not of gode herte and of good courage we been but loste. And therfore for the loue of god. take to vs gode herte / and lette vs be bolde / ad thynke we neuer of our wyues ne of oure chyldren / but only to cō quere our enmyes in batayll. ¶And thrugh the helpe of our lorde we shall them ouercome And wyth that came the hoste of the Scottes to warde theym full serely / and ayenst syr Edwarde Baylloll in thre bataylles well arayed in armoure. ¶And wonder fyersly they came to warde the Bayllols company / But whan syr Donald erle of Marcell that was with the Scottes / sawe all this / he sayd vnto Roberte Brus the sone of Robert the Brus thyse wordes / Syr Robert sayd he full fore me for thynkyth att my herte / that thyse people that Baylloll hathe brought wyth hym sholde deye wyth dy [...]te of Scottes swerdes / sythe that they ben crysten men as we ben. And therfore me thynkyth that it were grete charyte for to sende vn­to theym / for to yelde theym / vnto our mercy / and raunsomme theym vnto greuous raun­somme / for as moche as they haue taken oure londes and done yll. Now certes sayd syr Roberte the Brus / I haue well rerceyued / that thou arte an enmye and a traytour vnto Scotlonde / sythe that thou wylte consente to saue our dedely enmyes / that haue done vs moche sorowe and shame & now it semyth wel that ye be of theyr assente Now certes Robert sayde syr donald / falsly ye lye. I am not of theyr company ne of theyr consent / & y^t hastyly ye shall se for I wyll fyz [...]e wyth them rather than ony of thys company / & certes syr Robert sayd he I shall in mauger of thy hede assayll they or thou And wyth y^t they pryckyd theyr stedys fye [...]sly vpon Gaskemore. and theyr wynge theym folowed on a reng. & tho came they & mette wyth Baylloll & hys cōpany at an hangynge bough of the more ī a strayte passage & so fast they hastyd thē vnto y^e Englysshmen y^e thousand / felle vnto the grounde echone ouer vpon other into an hepe hors and man bayllol & his men myghtyly stode ayenst theym / & fast slewe the Scot­tes to the grounde / and many they wounded / soo longe / tyll that they stode vpon theym and foyned theym wyth theyr swerdes and speres thrughe theyr bodyes / and fulle sore they were trauaylled vppon theym / tylle that they beca­me wonder wery / and wyste not what for too doo. And the Scottes that were lete alyue fledde awaye / for to saue them selfe in the beste manere that they myght. And tho pursued theym syre Edwarde baylloll and hys men / and slewe of theym tyll it was nyght. And fro thēs they wente to Saynt Iohannes towne / and toke it. & helde them there and vytaylled them self at there owne wyll / for they foūde ynough wherwith to make mery. Tho made Baylloll his men y^t were wonded goo to shyp / to sayll in to Englonde / to hele ther woundes. & in y^e tyme there was a flēmynge in the see. a stonge theyf And a robber that was callyd crab & this flēmī ge was dryuen out of Flaundres for hys wyc­kydnesse & therfore he came into Scotlond to holde with the scottes / & dyde as moche harme to the Englysshmen as he myght do. And thys Crabbe mette Bayllols men in y^e see that were [Page] woūded before in batayll y^t were sent ayen in­to Englonde. for to hele theyr woundes. and this crabbe yaaf to theym a gete assawte. and wold haue slayne theym euery chone. But the Englysshmen defended them well & manly & dyscomfyte Crabbe & his company & tho gan he fle into Scotlond. ¶And as he cam towarde saynt Iohānes towne / he foūde a grete con­pany of scottes / y^t were come ayen togyder af­ter the dyscomfyture at Gaskemore. the why­che byseyged Bayllol and hys men ī the same towne of saynt Iohan· And anone tolde tolde the Scottes how that he was dyscomfyted of the Englysshmen / y^t were woundyd at Gaskemore / that went towarde Englonde / forts hele theyr woundes / And sayd to the Scottes / y^t they sholde haue nother power ne myghte ne grace ayenst Edwarde Bayllol / by cause that he scomfyted / & empeyred alle the chyualry of Scotlond with a handfall of men as to [...]ōpte ayenst the Scottes that were slayne. wherfore he coūseylled to remeue the sege from saynt Iohannes towne / & kepe theym in the best manere that they myght. ¶The Scottes vnderstode that crabbe sayd sothe / for soke the sege and wente thens by nyghte. ¶whan thys thynge was knowe thrughe Scotlonde how that the lordes & knyghtes were dyscomfyted at Gas­kemore of Scotlonde thrughe syre Edwarde Bayllol / ye shall vnderstonde y^t the lordes & ladyes / & the gentyls of Scotlond came wonder faste to saynt Iohannes towne / & yeldyd the­ym vnto Bayllol. & to hym dyd homage & feaute for theyr sondes & yelde theym to his peas & he theym receyued frely / And fro thens he wē te to the abbay of Scone. & there he was crowned kyng of Scotlond / & after he lete crye hys peas thrughe out all the londe. ¶And at that same tyme it befell that kynge Edwarde helde his parlement amonge hys leyges at the newe castell vpon Tyne for to amende the trespaces and the wronges that had ben done in his lon­de. And syr Edwarde Bayllol kynge of Scotlonde came to hym thyther / and dyde to hym homage & feautee / for the reame of Scotlond And in thys maner kynge Edwarde of Eng­londe gadred ayen hys homages & feautees of Scotlonde / wher of he was put out / thrughe counseyll and assent of dame Isabell hys mo­der / and of syr Roger Mortymer erle of Marche / Tho toke Bayllol kyng of Scotlond hys leue of kynge Edwarde of Englonde / & went thens in to his owne londe of Scotlonde & set but lytyll by suche as had counseylled hym / & holpen hym in hys quarel / wherfore they wente from hym & went & lyued by theyr owne londes and renttes in Scotlond. ¶And so it befel after warde not longe / that that the kynge of Scotlonde ne remeued & came to the toure of Anande & there tooke hys dwellynge / and thy­der came to hym a company of knyghtes stronge men & worthy / & yelded them vnto the kyn­ge. And bare theym so fayr in dede and in coū ­tenaūce / so that he trustyd moche vpon theym And anone as the traytours sawe that he tru­styd moche vpon theym / they ordened amonge theym fyfty in a company / and wolde haue slayne theyr lorde the kynge / But thrugh the grace of almyghty god / he brake thrugh a walle an hole in his chambre / & as god wolde sca­pyd theyr trechery / & all hys men were slayne / and he escaped with moche dred vnto the towne of Cardoyll / And there he helde hym sore a­noyed. And this befell vpon our ladyes euen y^e cōcepcyon. ¶Tho sent kynge Edward Baylloll to kynge Edwarde of. Englonde / how falsly and tratoursly he was in lytyll tyme / put to shame & sorowe thrughe his lyege men / vppon whom he trustyd wonder moche. And prayed hym for y^e loue of god that he wolde mayntene hym & helpe hym ayenst hys enmyes. the kyn­ge of englond had of hym grete pyte / & behight to helpe hym & socour hym. and sēt hym worde that he shold hold hym in peas styll in y^e forsayde cyte of Cardoyll / tyll y^t he had gadred his power. ¶Tho ordeyned kyng Edwarde of Englonde a counseyll at London / & lete gadre his men in diuers shyres of Englond. and whan he was alle redy / he wente towarde the towne of Berwyk vpon Twede / and theder came to hym kyng Edward Baylloll of scotlond with his powere / and beseged the towne / And made without the towne a fayr towne of pauylyons and dyched theym all abowte / so that they had no drede of the▪ Scottes / & made manye assawte with [...]onnes and wyth other engynnes to y^e towne. wherwyth they dystroyed many fayre houses / & chyrches also were beten downe to y^e erthe with grete stones / the spitously came out of gonnes & other engynes. And neuertheles y^e Scottes kept ryght well the towne / y^t tho two kynges myghte not come therin longe tyme. & [Page lxxxxiiii] n [...]theles the kynges abode there so longe / tyll tho that were within y^e towne fayled vytaylles & also they were so wery of wakynge. that they wyst not what for to do. ¶And ye shall vnderstende that tho scottes y^t were wythin y^e towne of Berwyk / thrugh comyn counseyl & theyr assent. lete crye vpon y^e wallys of the twone. that they myght haue peas of the Englysshmē and therof they prayed the kyng of his grace & mercy & prayed gym of trwes for .viii. dayes vpon this couenaunte / y^t yf they were not rescowed in that syde of the towne towarde Scotlond of y^e Scottes within .viii. dayes y^t they wolde yel­de theym vnto y^e kyng & the towne also / And to holde this couenaunt / they prouffred to the kinge .xii. hostages out of the towne of Berwyk. ¶Whan the hostages were delyuerde / vnto y^e kynge / anone tho of the towne sent vnto y^e scottes / & tolde theym of theyr sorowe & myscheyf / And the Scottes tho came pryuely ouer the water of Twede to y^e bought of the abbaye. & syr wyllyā Dyket that was tho Stewarde of scot­londe. & many other that came wyth hym / put theym theyr in grete peryll of themself att that tyme & of ther lyf / For they came ouer a bryd­ge y^t was to broke & y^e stones away / & many of theyr company were there drowned / But the forsayd wyllyam went ouer / & other of company / & came by the shyppes of Englond / & slew in a barge of Hull .xvi· mē and after they went into the towne of Berwyk by the water syde / wherfore the Scottes helde tho the towne res­cowed / & askyd theyr hostages ayen of the kyn­ge of Englonde / & the kynge sente theym worde ayē that they axyd theyr hostages with wrō ge syth thath they came into the towne of En­londe syde / for couenaunt was bytwene theim that the towne sholde be rescowed by the halfe of Scotlonde and anone tho commaūded kynge Edwarde to yelde the towne / or he wolde haue the hostages and the Scottes sayd the towne was rescowed welle ynoughe & therto they wolde theym holde / whan kyng Edwarde sa­we the Scottes breke theyr couenauntes that they made / he was wonder wrothe. and anone lete syr Thomas. Fytz wyllyam and syr Alysā der of Feton warden of Berewyk the whyche Thomas was person of Dunbarre. and lete thē be take fyrste afore that other hostages for cause that Syr Alysanders fader was keper of the towne. ¶And tho commaunded euerye daye two hostages of the towne / tyll that they were all do to deth. But yf they yelded the towne / & so he sholde teche them for to breke theyr couenauntes. And whan they of the towne herde thyse tydyngꝭ they became wonder sory and sente to the kyng that he wolde graunt them o­ther .viii. dayes of respyte. So that bytwene two hundre men of armys and .xx. men of ar­mes myght by strenthe go bytwene them to y^e towne of Berwyk theym for to vytaylle / that the towne must be holde for rescowed. And yf soo were that .xxi. or .xxii. or more were slayne of tho two hundred before sayde. that the tow­sholde not be holde for rescowed. And thys couenaunte to be holde. they sente to hym other .xii. of the forsayd towne in hostage / the kynge of Englonde grauntyd theym theyr prayer & toke the hostages. on saynt Margaretꝭ eue. in the yere of grace .M·CCC.xxxiii. the Scottes came fyersly well arayed in foure wynges for to mete kynge Edwarde of Englonde. and Edwarde the kynge of Scotlonde / with theyr power / and came faste and sharply ayenst euen­songe tyme / And the same tyme was flood atte Berwyk in the water of Twede / that no man myghte goo ouer on hys hors / nor on fote [...] and the water was bytwene tho two kynges and y^e reame of Englonde. And that tyme abode the Scottes in that other syde for cause that the englyssgmen sholde haue be drowned.

¶Thys was the arraye of the Scottes / how that they came in batayll ayenst the two kynges of Englonde and of Scotlonde. In the vaunt warde of Scotlonde where thyse lordes.

THerle of Moryf / Iamys Frysell Sy­mond Frysell / Walter stewarde Reynolde Cheyn. Patryke of Greham. Iohan le graunt Iamys of Cordoyl Patryk Parkeys. Roberte Caldecottes Phylyp of Melledrum Thom̄s Gylbert Rauf wyseman. Adam gur­don / Iamys Gramat. Roberte Boyd. Huhhe Park. with .xl knyghtꝭ newe dubbyd & .vi.C. men of armes & .iii.M. of comyns / In the fyr­ste parte of thalfe batayll were thyse lordes / the Stewarde of Scotlonde / the erle of Mory Iamys his vncle / wyllyā douglas dauyd of Lyndesey. Marcolyn Flemynge / Wyllyam of keth Dn̄sen Cankok with .xxx. bachelers new dubbyd. ¶In the seconde parte of the batayll were [Page] thyse lordes. Iamys Stewarde of Corden. Alein Stewarde / wyllyam Abbrehin / wyllyā Morys: Iamys Fytz wyllyam. Adam lemost. walter Fytz. Gylbert. Iohn̄ of Cerleton. Ro­bert wallam with .vii.C. men of armys / and .xvii.M. comyns. ¶In the thyrd parte of the batayll of Scotlonde were thyse lordes. The erle of Moref. the erle of Ruf / therle of Stra­hern. y^e erle of Soth erlonde. william of Kyrkkelay. Iohn̄ Cābron / Gylbert of Hey / wylly­am ramsey / wylliam Prēdegest. Kyrston Harde / wyllyam Gurde / Arnold Garde Thomas Dolphyn / wyth .xl. knyghtes newe dubbyd .ix.C. men of armys & .xv.M. of comyns. ¶In the fourth warde of the batayll of Scotlonde were thyse lordes Archbalde Douglas / y^e erle of Lencuax Alysander le Brus. y^e erle of Fyff. Iohn̄ Canbell erle of Atheles. Roberte Lawether / wyllyam of Vypouynt / wyllyam of Lonston. Iohnn de Labels Groos de Sherenlawe Iohan de Lyndesey Alysander de Gray. In­gram de Vmfreuille. Patryk de Polesworthe Dauyd de wymes. Mychell Scot. wyllyam Landy Thomas de Boys. Roger Mortymer with xx. bachelers new dubbyd .ix.C. men of armys .xviii.M. & .iiii.C. of comyns. The erle of Dunbar keper of the castelle of Berewyk halpe the Scottes with .l. men of armys. And syr Alysander of Ceton keper of y^e for sayd towne of Berwyk with an .C. men ef armys. And also the comyns of y^e towne wyth ·iiii.C. men of armys / & with .viii.C. of fote men. ¶The somme of therles & lordes aboue sayd / amounteth .lxvi. ¶The some of bachelers newe dubbyd amoūteth to an .C.lx. ¶The sōme of men of armys amounteth .iii.M.C. ¶The sūme of the comnyns amounteth .liii.M. and .iii.C. ¶The sōme totalle of the people abouesayd amounteth .lxv.M.vii.C.xlv. And thyse .lx. & .vi. gretate lordes / ladde all the other greeste lordes abouesayde. Infonre bataylles / as it is tolde beforen allon fote. and kynge Edwarde of Englonde / and Edwarde Bayllol kyng of Scotlonde / hadde well apparelled theyr folke in foure bataylles / for to fyghte on fote ayenst the Scottes theyr enmyes. ¶And the Englys the mynstrels blewe theyr trumpetes and the. yr claryons / and hydously ascryed the Scot­tes. And tho had euery Englysshe batayll two wynges of pryce archers. The whiche at that batayll shot arowes so faste and soo sore: that the Scottes myghte not helpe themsefle. And they smote the Scottes thousandes vnto the grounde. And they began for to flee fro the englysshmen for to saue theyr lyues: And whan the Scottes knaues saw the scomfyture and the Scottes fall fast to the grounde / they preckyd faste theyr maysters horse with the sporis for to kept theym from peryl / & sete theyr maysters at on force And whan thenglyssmen saw that they lept on theyr horses / & faste pursued the Scottes / & all that abode they slewe dow­ne ryght. ¶There men myght see the doughtinesse of the noble kynge Edward & of hys men how manly they pursewed the Scottes / that flowe for drede. And there men myght see ma­ny a Scottysshman caste downe vnto y^e groū de / & the baners dysplayde hackyd in to peces & many a gode haberyoyne of stele in the blo­de bathe / And many a tyme the Scottes were gadred in to cōpanyes / but euer more they were discomfyted. ¶And so it befell as god almyghty wolde. that the Scottes had that day no­more fayson ne myghte ayenst the Englysshemen than .xx. shepe among .v. wulues. And so were the Scottes dyscomfyted / & yet the scot­tees was well .v. men ayenst one englysshmen And y^e batayll was done on Halydoune hyll besyde the towne of Berwyk. At the whiche ba­tayll were slayne of the Scottes .xxxv· thousande & .vii. houndred and .xii. And of the Englysshemen but only .xiii. And this victory befel to the Englysshmen on saynt Margyretes euen the holy virgyn & martyr in the yere of our lor­de Ihesu cryste .M.CCC.xxxii. ¶And whyle thys doynge lastyd the Englysshe pages toke the pylfre of the Scottes that were slayne / euery man that he myght take. wythout ony cha­lengynge of ony man. And so after thys gracyous victory. the kynge torned hym agayne vn­to the same syege of Berewyk. ¶And whan they be syeged sawe and herde how kynge Ed­warde had spede / they yelded to hym the tow­ne wyth the castell / on the morowe after saynt Margaretes daye. ¶And thenne the kynge dyde ordeyne syr Edwarde Baylloll / with o­ther noble and worshypfull men / to be kepers and gouernours of all Scotlonde in hys absence. And hymselfe torned ayē and came into Enlōde after this vyctorye / with moche Ioye and also worshyp and in the nexte yere folowynge after / that is for to say in the yere of the Incarnacyon [Page lxxxxv] of oure lorde Ihesu eryste .M.CCC.xxxiii. And of kynge Edwarde .vii· he wente ayen in to Scotlonde / in wynter tyme Atte the whiche vyage the castell of kylbrygge in Scotlonde / for hym and for his men that were with hym he recouered and had ayenst the Scottes All at his owne luste. ¶And in that same yere syr Edwarde Bayloll kyng of Scotlonde / helde his parlement in Scotlonde with many noble lordes of Englonde that were at that same parlemente / bycause of theyr londes and also lordshyps that they had in the reame of Scot­londe. And helde all of the same Baylloll. And in the .viii. yere of hys regne / abowte the feest of saynt Iohan Baptist syr Edward Bayllol they vere and true kynge of Scotlonde / as by heretage & right lyne / made his homage and feaute vnto kynge Edwarde of Englonde for the reame of Scotlonde att new castell vppon Tyne. In the presente of many a worthy man and also of comyns bothe of the reame of Englonde / and also of Scotlonde· ¶And anone after in the same yere kynge Edwarde of En­glonde / receyued of the duke of Brytayne hys homage / for the erldom and lordshyp of Rychmonde. And so folowynge in the .ix. yere of hys regne after Myghelmas rode into Scotlond And there was faste by saynt Iohānes towne almoost all the wynter tyme / And soo he helde his Crystemas at the castell of Rokersbourgh ¶And in the same yere trughout all Englon­de / abowte saynt Clementys tyde in wynter. ¶Chere arose suche a sprengynge and wellyn­ge vp of waters / and also flodes / bothe of the see and also of the fresshe ryuers and sprenges that the see bankes / walles and costes / brake vp / that mennys bestes and housys in many places & namely in lowe countrees / vyolently and sodaynly were drowned / and fruyte dry­uen awaye of the erthe / thrugh contynaunce and abundaunce of waters of the see / ouer more afterwarde were torned into more saltnesse and sourenesse or sauoure. ¶The .x. yere of kynge Edwardes regne. kynge Edwarde en­tred the Scottes see after Mydsomer. And to many of the Scottes he haue bataylle / and o­uercame theym and many he treatyd and bo­wed vnto hys peas / thrughe hys doughtynesse and hardynesse. ¶And after the feest of saynt Myghell thenne nexte folowynge was the er­le of Moryf hadde and taken at Edenbrugh & brought into Englonde and put into pryson. ¶And in the monethes of Iune and Iulii thā next folowynge in the xi. yere of his regne was seen and apperyed in the fyrmament a beme sterre the whiche clarkes calle stella Cometa & that sterre was seen in dyuers partes of y^e fyr­mament. ¶Where after anone there folowed in Englonde goode chepe and wonder greate plente of chaffare vytaylles & marchandyse / & there ayenst honger scarsyte myscheyf and ne­de of monye. ¶In so moche that a quartre of whete at London was solde for two shellynge and a good fatte oxe att a noble / and fyue good douues byrdes for a peny. In whiche yere dep­ed syr Iohn̄ of [...]l [...]am erle of Cornewaylle that was kynge Edwardes brother and lyeth atte westmestre.

¶How kynge Edwarde made a duchye of the Erldome of Cornewayle and also of syxe other Erles that were newe ma­de / and of the fyrste chalēge of y^e kyngdodome of Fraunce.

IN the yere of our lorde a .M.CCC.xxx.vii. and of kynge edwarde .xii. in the moneth of marche durynge the parlement at westmestre in lente tyme kynge Edwarde made of the erldome of Cornewayle a duchye and lete it calle the duchye of Cornewayle / the whiche ducye he gaaf vnto Edwarde hys fyrste sone with the erldom of Chestre. And also kyng Edwarde made att that same tyme syxe other er­les / That is for to saye Syr Henry the erle of Lancastres sone erle of Leycetre / Wyllyam of Bughū erle of Northamptō / wyllyam of Mountagu / erle of Salysbury / Hughe of Awdell erle of Gloucestre / Roberte of V [...]orde erle of Southfolke / And wyllyam of Clyton Erle of Huntyngeton. ¶And in that same yere it was ordeyned in the same parlemente that no man sholde were noo clothe that was wrought out of Englond. as clothe of golde ne of sylke or veluet or damaske or satyne baud­kyn ne none suche other ne none wylde ware ne furres of bynde y^t see. But suche as myght spende an hundred poūde of rente by yere. but this ordynaūce & statute was but of lytyl effect For yt was no thynge holden. ¶In the .xiii. yere of his regne kynge Edwarde went ouer see into Braban with quene Phylyp his wyf there beryng a chylde at And warpe there he dwellyd more than a yere for to treate wyth the du­ke [Page] of Braban and other alyed vnto hym of the chalengynge of the kyngdome of Fraunce. to kynge Edwarde of Englond by ryght and by herytage after the deth of Karoll the grete kynge of Fraunce brother Gerymayne of que­ne Isabell kynge Edwardes moder / the why­che was holden and occupyed vnryghtfull by Phylyp of Valoys the ēmys of kynge Karoll / the wheche duke and all his in y^e forsayd thyn­ges & all other longynge there to with alle hys men and goodes kynge Edwarde founde redy vnto hym and made & behyght hym suerte by good fayth & truste / and after that y^e kyng hath hym ayen into Englonde & lelft there the que­ne styll be hynde hym in Braban. Than in y^e .xiiii. yere of his regne whan all y^e lordes of his reame & other that oughten to be at his parle­ment were called & assembled togyder in y^e sa­me parlemēt holden at London after the feest of saynt Hylarye / The kynges nedes were put forth & promothed as touchinge the kyngdom of Fraunce. For whiche nedes to be spedde the kynge axed the fyfte parte of alle the meuable goodes of Englonde & the wulles & the .ix. she­ep of euery corne / And alle the lordes of euery towne where suche thynges sholde be taxed & gadryd sholde answere to the kynge therof / & had it and helde it at his owne lust & wyl wherfore yf I shold knowleche the very trouth / the ynner loue of the people was torned in to hate And the comyn prayers in to cursinge / for cause that the comune people were soo strongely greued. ¶Also the for sayd Phylyp Valoys of Fraunce had gadred vnto hym a grete hoste & destroyed in hys partyes & kyngdome / many of the kynges frendes of Englonde wyth tow­nes & castels many other of theyr lordhypoes and many harmes shamys & dystytes dyd vnto the quene / wher fore kyng Edwarde whan he herde thys tydynges strongely meued ther­wythe and red. and sente dyuers letters ouer see to y^e quene & to other that were his frendes Glagynge them certefyenge them y^t he wolde be there hymself in all the haste that he mygh. ¶And anone after Ester whan he had sped of all thinges y^t hym neded to haue / he went ouer see ayen. Of whose cominge y^e quene & all hys frendes were wonder glad & made moche Ioy And all that were his enmyes and held ayenst hym made as moche sorow. ¶In the same ty­me the kynge thrughe counseyll of hys trewe lyeges and counsell of hys lordes that there we represent wyth hym wryte the kynhe of Fraū ces name / and toke and medled the kynges armes of Fraunce quartred with tharmes of Englond and commaunded forth with hys coyen of golde vnder dyserypcyon and wrytynge of the name of englonde and of Fraunce be ma­de beste that myght bee / and that is to saye the floreyne that was callyd the noble pryce of .vi shellynge .viii pens sterlynge / and the half no­bell the value .iii· shellynge and .iiii. pens / and the far thynges the value of .xx. pens.

¶How kynge Edwarde came vnto the scuys and dyscomfyted alle the power of Fraunce in the hauen.

ANd in the next yere after / that is to say the .xv. yere of his regne he cōmaūded and lete wryte in his chartres wryttes & other letters the date of the regne of fraunce the fyrst And whyle that he was thus doynge and tra­uayllynge in fraunce thrughe his counseyll he wrote to al the prelates dukes erles and barōs and the noble lordes of the countre / and also to dyuerse of the comune people dyuers letters & maundementes berynge date att Gandaue the viii. daye of February. ¶And anone after wythin a lytyll tyme he came ayen in to englonde with the quene and her chyldren. ¶And in the same yere on mydsomer euen he began to sayl­le to warde Fraunce ayen / and manly and fy­ersly he felle vpon Phylyp of Valoys the whyche longe tyme laye and had gadryd to hym a full longe & boystous meny of dyuers nacions in the hauen of Sceuys / & there they foughten togyder the kynge of fraūce and he wyth theyr hostes fro myddaye to thre of the clocke in the morne / in the whyche batayll were slayne .xxx. thousande men of the kynges cōpany of fraunce / and many shyppes and cogges were taken And soo thrugh goddes helpe he had there the vyctorye. and bere thens a gloryous chyualry ¶And in the same yere abowte saynt Iames tyde without the yates of Saynt Omers Robert of Arthoys with men of Englōde & Flaun faught ayenst y^e duke of Burgon & the Frens­shemen / att whiche batayll were slayne & take of the frensshmen .xv. barons & .lxxx. knyghtes & shyppes & barges were take vnto the nombre of CC. and .xxx. ¶The same yere the kynge makynge & abydynge vpon the sege of [...]ornay the erle of Henaude with Englysshe archers made [Page lxxxxvi] assaul [...] vnto the towne of Saynt A [...]ande where they slewe .l. knightes & many other and also destroyed the towne. ¶And in the .xvi. ye­re of hys regne folowynge in the wynter tyme the kynge stylle vpon the forsayd seyge & sente of tyme into englond vnto hys tresorer & other purueyours for golde & moneye that sholde be sēte vnto hȳ there ī his nede but his proctours and messyngers cursedly and ful slouly serued hym at hys nede & deceyued hym / on whoos defaute & latches the kyng toke trewes bytwene hym and the kynge of fraūce / And thenne kyn­ge Edwarde full of shame and sorowe in hys herte wyth drewe hym fro the sege & come into Brytayne and there was soo grete stryue of batayll that he loste many of his peple. And whan he had doone there that he come for he dressyd hym ouer see in to Englond warde. ¶And as he saylled to warde Englonde in the hyghe see the moost myshappes stormes and tempestes thondre & lyghtnynge felle to hym in y^e see / the whyche was sayde that it was done & yraysyd thrugh euyll spirytes made by sore ery & nygro mancye of them of fraunce / wherfore the kyn­ges herte was ful of sorowe / and āguysshe welllynge & syghynge & sayd vnto our lady in thys wyse· ¶O blessyd lady Saynt Mary what is the cause that euer more goynge into fraunce al thynges & wethers fallen to me Ioyfull and lykynge and as I wold haue them / but alway tornynge into Englonde warde all thyngꝭ fallen vnprofytable and very harmfull neuertheles he scapyd all perelles of the see as god wol­de / and came to the tour of London by nyght. ¶And the same yere the kyng helde his Crystmas at Meneres & sent worde to the Scottes by his messagers that he was redy & wolde doo fyght with theym. but the Scottes wolde not abyde that but fledde ouer y^e Scottes see & hyd them a well as they myght. ¶And in the .xvii. yere of his regne aboute the feest of the Cōuersyon of saynt poull kynge Edwarde whan he had ben in Scotlond & sawe that y^e scottes we­re fledde tho he come ayen into Englond. And a lytell before lent was the turnement at Dunstable / tho the whyche tourmente come alle the yonge bachelary & chyualry of Englond with many other erles and lordes. At the whiche turnemente kyng Edward hymself was there present ¶And y^e next yere folowyng in the .xviii. yere of his regne att hys parlemente holden at westmynster the auyzeme of paske kynge Edwarde the thyrde made Edwarde his fyrst so­ne prynce of walys. ¶And in the .xix. yere of his regne anone after in Ianyuer before lente the same kynge Edwarde lete make full noble Iustes & grete feestes in the place of hys byrth at wyndsore that there was neuer none suche seen there afore. At whiche feest & ryalte were two kynges & two quenes the prynce of walys the duke of Cornewayle .x. Erles .ix. Countesses barons and many burgeys the whiche myghte not lyghtly be nōbred / & of dyuerse londes beyonde the see weren many straungers. And at the same tyme whan the Iustes were done. kynge Edward made a grete souper in y^e whi­che he ordened & began hys rounde table & ordened & stedfasted the daye of the rounde table to be holden there att wyndesore in the wytsone weke neuer more yerely. & this tyme Englyssh men so moche haunted and cleuyd to the woodnes & foly of the straungers / that from tyme of comynge of Henaudes .xviii. yere passed they ordeyned and chaunged theym euery yere dy­uerse shappes and dysguysynge of clothynge of longe large and wyde clothes dystytute & dyserte frem all olde honest and gode vsage. And an other tyme shorte clothes and strayte was­tyd gagged and kyt and on euery syde slatered and botoned with sleues and tapytis of surco­tes and hodes ouer longe and ouermoche han­gynge / that yf I the sothe shall saye they were more lyke to tormentours & deuyls in theyr clothynge & shokynge & other araye than to men & the wymen more nycely yet passed the men in araye & euouslyer / for they were so strayte clo­thed that they lefe hange fore tayles sewyd by­neth wythin there clothes for to fele and hyde theyr arsers / the whiche dysguysynges & pryde parauenture / afterwarde broughte fourthe & caused many myshappes & myschyef in y^e rea­me of Englonde. ¶The .x [...]. yere of kynge Edwarde he wente ouer in to Brytayne and Gascoyne In whoos cōpany wente the erle of warwyk / the erle of Souffolke. the erle of Huntyngton and the erle of Arundell / and many other lordes and comune people in a greate multytu­de wyth a greate Nauye of .CC. and .xl. shippes / anone after mydsomer for to auenge hym of many wronges and harmes to hym doone by Phylyp of Valoys kynge of Fraunce ayene the trewes before honde grauntyd / the whych [Page] the trewes he falsly and vntrewely by cauelacyons and dysquatter

¶How kynge Edwarde saylled in to Nor­mandy & arryued at hogges with a grete host.

IN the .xxi. yere of hys regne kynge Ed­warde thrugh counseyll of alle the grete lordes of Englond callyd & gadred togyder in his parlemente at westmestre before Ester or­deyned hym for to passe ouer the see agayn for to disease & dystrobled the rebelles of Fraūce. And whan his Nauye was come togyder and made redy he wente with a grete hoste the .xii. daye of Iulii. and saylled in to Normandye & arryued at hogges. ¶And whan he had rested hym ther .vi. dayes for by cause of trauaylyng of the see and for to haue out all his men with all theyr necessaryes out of theyr shyppes / he wente towarde Cadomun brenuynge wastinge & destroyenge all the townes that he founde in his waye. ¶And the .xxvi. dayes of Iuly at the brydge of Cadony manly and nobly strēg­thed and defended with Normans he had the­re a stronge batayll & a longe durynge / thrugh whiche a grete multytude of people were slay­ne / And there were taken of prysoners the erle of Ewe / the lorde of Thonkeruyll / and an hū ­dred of other knyghtes & men of armes / and .vi. hondred of foot men nombred & the towne and the subbarbes / vnto the bare walle / and of all thynges that they myghte bere & caryen out was robbyd & dyspoyled. After the kynge passed forth by y^e coūtre about the brede of .xx. myle he wastyd all manere thynge y^t he founde whan Phylyp of Valoys perceyued thys / alle thought he were faste by hym wyth a stronge hoste yet he wolde not come nygh hym but breke all the brydgꝭ beyonde y^e water of Seyn fro Royn to Parys / & hymself fled vnto the same cyte of Parys with all the hast that he myght. ¶For sothe noble kyng Edwarde whan he came to Parys brydge & founde it broken / with­in two dayes he let make it agayne / And in the morowe after the Assumpcōn of our lady kynge Edwarde passed ouer y^e water of Seyn goyege to warde Crescy & dystroyed by the way townes with the peple dwellynge ther in / & in the feest of saynt Bartholomewe he passed o­uer the water of sōme vnhurt with all his host there as neuer before fonde ony manere way ne passage. where .ii.M. were slayne of them that letted theyr passage. ouer. ¶Therfore the .xxvi. daye of Auguste / kynge Edwarde in felde fast by Frescy hauynge thre batayls of En­glysshmen en coūtred & mette with Phylyp of Valoys hauīge with hym .iiii. batayls of whyche the leest passed gretly the nombre of englysshe people. And whan these two hostes mette togyder / there fell vpon hym the kyngh of Beme / the duke of Loreyn. & erles also of Flaun­ders / Dalaūson / bloys harecourt / Aumarle & Neuors / & many other Erles barons lordes & knyghtꝭ and men of armes y^e nombre of a .M.v.C.xlii. without foot men & other men armed that were no thynge rekened. And for all thys the vngloryous Philyp with drewe hym with the resydue of his people. wherfore it was say­de in cōmune amonge his owne people. Nerē be all soy retreyt. that is to saye our fayre wyth draweth hym. ¶Than kynge Edward & our Englysshmē thankyd almyghty god for suche a vyctory after there gret labour take to theim all thynge nedefull to theyr sustynaunce / & sa­uynge of theyr lyues & for drede of theyr enmyes rested them there. And full erly in the mornynge after y^e Frensshmen with a grete passynge hoste come ayen for to gyue batayll & fyght with the Englysshmen / with whom mette & encountred the erle of warwyke Northampton and Norfolke with theyr cōpany and slewe .ii. M. & tooke many prysoners of the gentyls of them. And the remenaunt of y^e same host fledde thre myle thens. And the thyrde day after y^e batayll y^e kyng went to Calays warde destroyenge all y^e townes as he rode thyder / whā that he comē that is to say y^e thyrde daye of Septēbre he began to besege y^e towne with y^e castell & contynued hys sege fro the forsayd thyrde daye of Septembre to y^e thyrde day of August y^e nexte yere after. And in the same yere durynge y^e sye­ge of Calays the kyng of Scotlōde with a grete multytude of scottes came in to Englōde to Neuyles crosse / aboute saynt Lucas daye the Euāgelyst hopynge and trustynge for to haue foūde all y^e londe voyde of people for as moche as the kyng of Englond was beyonde the see / sauf oonly prestes & men of holy chyrche & women & chyldren / & plowmen and suche other labourers / & there they come & robbyd & dyd moche preuy sorowe. But yet founde they ynou­ghe that theym withstode bi y^e grace of almyghty god / & so a day of batayll was as sygned bytwene theym and certayne lordes & mē of holy [Page lxxxxvii] chyrche y^t were of y^e countree wyth other comune people fast by the cyte of Duresme. at why­che daye through the grace & helpe of god almy­ghty the Scottes were ouercomen and yet were there thre tymes so many of thē as of englysshemen· And there was slayne all the chyualry & knyghthode of the reame of Scotlond. And there was taken as they wolde haue fled thens Dauyd of kynge of Scotlonde hymselfe and the erle of mentyf Syr wyllyam Douglas and many other greate men of Scotlande. ¶And after that our Englysshemen whan they had rested theym a fewe dayes and had ordeyned theyr kepers of the North countre. they came to London and broughte with them syre Da­uyd the kynge of Scotlonde and all the other lordes that were taken prysoners vnto the toure of London with alle the haste that they myghte. and left them there in sauf kepynge vnto the kynges comynge and wente home ayen in to theyr owne countre. And after warde was the kynge raunson of Scotlond taxed to an hondred thousande marke of syluer to be pay­ed within .x. yere / that is to saye euery yere .x. thousande marke.

¶How kȳge Edwarde besyeged Calays & how it was wonne & yolden vnto hym.

IN the .xxii· yere of kyng Edwardes regne wente ouer see in the wynter tyme / & laye al y^e wynter at the sege of Calays / the whiche yere whyle the syege lasted & endured Phylyp the kynge of fraunce caste & purposed traytoursly & with fraude to put awaye the syege & came the ·xxvii. daye of Iuyll in the same yere with a grete host & stronge power and neyghed to the sege of Calays. The whiche Phylyp the last daye of Iulii. sente to the kynge Edwarde worde that he wolde gyue hym playne batayll y^e thyrde daye after y^e about Euēsonge tyme yf he durst come fro the sege and abyde. And whā kynge Edward herde that ony without longe taryenge or longe auysentente accept gladly y^e daye & houre of batayll y^t Philyp had assygned And whan the kynge of Fraunce herde that / y^e next nyght after he set hys tentys a fyre & remeued & went his waye thens cowardly. Thenne they that were in y^e towne & in the castell besyeged saw all this that they had none other helpe ne socour of y^e kynge of Fraunce ne of his men And also that theyr vytayls within them were spended and wastyd & for faute of vytayls & of refresshynge they eten horses houndes cattes & myse for to kepe theyr trouth as long as they myght And whā they sawe & was foūde amonge them at the last that they had no thyng amō ge them for to ete ne lyue by ne no socour ne rescowe of the frensshemē / of that other syde they wist well that they muste nedes deye for defau­te or els yelde the towne / & anone they went & toke downe y^e baners and the armes of fraūce on euery syde that were hangē out & wente on y^e walles of y^e forsayd towne on dyuerse places as naked as euer they were borne sauf only theyr shertes and theyr pryue clothes. & helde their swerdes naked & the poynt donward in theyr hondes / and puttē ropes & halters about theyr neckes & yelded vp the keys of the towne & of the castell to kynge Edward of Englond with grete fere & drede of theyr liues and goodes and drede of herte / And kynge Edwarde sawe alle thys as / a mercyable kynge and lord receyyed them to grace / & fewe of the grettest prysoners of estate and gouernaunce of the towne he sent into Englonde there for to abyde theyr raun­son and the kynges grace. And al the comynallte of the towne the kynge lette goo weder they wolde in peas and wyth out ony harme / & lete them bere with thē all theyr thynges y^t they myghte bere & carye away kepynge y^e twone & the castell to hymself· Thenne thrugh meditacyon of Cardynales that were sente from the pope / trewes was take there by twene Fraunce & englond for .ix. monethes than next folowynge. And aboute Myghelmas kynge Edwarde co­me ayen into Enlond with a gloryous vycto­ry. ¶And in the .xxiii. yere of his regne. in the Eest partyes of the worlde there arose and be­gan a pestylence & deth of Sarasyns and Paynyms that so grete a deth was neuer herde of a fore / that wasted away the people so that vn­neth the tenth person was left alyue. ¶And the same yere aboute the suche countrees and also in the west countrees there fell so moche rayne & so grete waters that from Crystmas to myd somer there was vnnethes no daye ne nyght but that it rayned some what / thrugh whyche waters the pestylence was so enfected & so ha­būdaunte in al countres. & namely aboute the courte of Rome. & other places and see costes that there were left lyuynge folke for too bury theȳ that were dede honestly But made greate dyches & pyttꝭ that were wōder brode & depe & [Page] therin buryed them / & made a renge of dede bodyes & caste a lytell erthe to fele them aboue / & than caste in a nother renge of dede bodyes / & an other renge aboue theym / and thus were they buryed & none other wyse / but yf it were so that they were men of greate estate so y^t they were buryed as honestly as they myghte. And after all this in the .xxiiii. yere of kyng Edwardes regne it was done hym to wete & vnderstā de of a treason that was begon at Calays & ordeyned for to sell that towne for a greate sōme of Florens vnto kynge Phylyp of Fraunce thrughe the falsnesse & or dynaūce of a knyght that was called syre Geffrey of Cherney was wonder preny wyth kynge Phylyp of Fraūce And whan kynge Edwarde herde this he toke with hym the noblest and gentyllest lordꝭ and many other worythy men of armes that were there presente with hym for the solempnyte of that hygh feest. And well wysely in al the hast that he myghe / and as pryuely as he myght he wente ouer see to warde Calays. And that sa­me yere the gode kyng edwarde helde his crystmas at Hauerynge. And the morne after new yers daye the kynge was in the castell of Ca­lays with his men of armes that none of the alyens wyst ther of. And that fais conspiratour and traytour Geffrey of Cherney syth that he myght not openly haue his purpose of the cas­tell / pryuely and stelyngly he come in & helde y^e towne with a grete host. And whā he wyth hys men were comen in / he payed the for sayd somme of floreyns as couenaunte was to a Gene­weye in the towne that was keper of the castel and consentinge to the same Geffrey in all his falsnesse and trechorye & bounden the Englysshe mynstrels and seruaūtes that were in the castell y^t they myght not helep themself ne lette them of theyr purpos. And than wenyng that they had ben sure ynough / then they spaken al their wickydnesse & falnesse openly on hygh y^t all men myght here. & now shall ye here howe they were deceyued / for they came in by a pre­uy posterne ouer a lytyll brydge of tree / & whā they were comen in subtyly & pryuely the brydge was drawen vp and kept that nōe of them that came in myght go out ne no moo myghte come to them / & anone our Englysshmen wen­te out at preuy holes and wyndowes & ouer y^e walles of the towne and of the castell & went & faught manly with the frensshmen that were withoute & had the better of them / the whyche whan they were occupyed by them self on the­yr syde / the kynge that was within the towne hauynge scarsely but .xxx. men of armes drew out his swerde & with a loude voys he creyed on hygh. Osaynt Edwarde. Osaynt George. And whan the peple herde that / they come rennynge to hym & gaaf there to theyr enmyes so greate assawte that there were moo than two hondred men of armes & many mo other slay­ne and many fled a waye. And soo by grace of god almyghty the vyctory felle vnto the En­glysshmen. Thenne the kynge toke with hym this Geffrey that was fynder of this trechory And also many other Frenssh prysoners / and thenne within a whyle after he come agayne in to Englonde. And in thys same yere and in the yere afore and also in y^e yere next folowyn­ge was soo greate a pestylence of men frome the eest in to y^e west & namely through botches that tho that sykened / as on thys daye deyed on the thyrde daye after / to the whyche men that soo deyed in this pestylence had but lytell respyte of lyssynge. ¶The pope Clemente of his goodnesse and grace gaf theym full remys­syon and forgyuenesse of all theyr synnes that they were shryuen of / and this pestylēce lasted in London fro Myghelmas vnto August. next folowynge almoost an hole yere. ¶And these dayes was deth wythout sorowe / weddynges wythout frendshyp / wylfull penaunce / & derth without scarsyte. And fleynge without refute or socour. for many fled from place to place by cause of pestylence. But they were enfected & myght not escape the dethe / after that the pro­phete Isay syth who that fleeth fro the face of drede he shalle falle into the dyche. And he that wyndeth hym out of the dyche he shall be hold and eyed wyth a grenne / but whan thys pesty­lēce was cessyd as god wold vnnethes y^e tenth parte of the peple was left on lyue. And in y^e sa­me yere began a wonder thynge that all that e­uer were borne after that pestylence had twoo cheketh in theyr heed lasse than they had afore.

¶How kyng Edward had a grete batayll with Spanyardes in y^e see fast by wynchelse.

ANd in the .xxv. yere of hys regne about saynt Iohans daye in haruest in the see fast by wynchelse kynge Edwarde had a gre­te batayll with men of Spayne where y^t theyr shyppes and nauye laye chayned togyder / that [Page lxxxxviii] other they muste fyght or be drenched. And so whan all other worthy mē and of the see costes fast by wynchelse & romeny were gadred togy­der / and our nauye & shyppes al redy to the warre / the Englysshemen mette manly and strongly wyth theyr enmyes comynge fyersly ayenst them. ¶And whan the Spayns vessels & na­uye were closed all about / there men myght se stronge batayll on both sydes & longe duryng in y^e whiche bataylle was but fewe that faught but they were rytously hurte. And after the batayll there were .xxiii. shyppes taken & soo the Englysshemen had the better. And in the nexte yere folowynge of hys regne. that is to say the xxvi. yere the kynge thrugh hys counseyll lete ordeyne and make hys newe money / that is to saye the peny the grote value of .iiii. pens and the halfe grete of .ii. pens. But it was of lesse weyght than y^e olde sterlynge was be .v. shels. in the pounde. ¶And in the .xxvii. yere of his regne was the grete derth of vytayls y^t whiche was called the dere somer. And the .xxviii. yere of his regne in the parlement holden atte westmestre after Ester. syr Henry erle of Lancastre was made duke of Lancastre and in this yere was soo greate a drought that frō the monethe of Marche to the Monethe of Iuyll there fell no rayne on therth / wherfore all fruytes sedes and herbes / for the moost parte were loste in defaute wherfore come so greate dysease of men and beestes and derth of vytayls in Englonde that thys londe that euer afore had ben plente­uous hadde nede that tyme to seke vitayls and refresshynge at other out yles & countres. And the .xxix. yere of kynge Edwarde it was accor­ded graūted and sworne bytwene the kynge of Fraunce & kynge Edwarde of Englonde that he shode haue ayen all his londꝭ & lordshyppes that lōged to y^e duchye of guyhen of olde tyme the whiche had bē withdrawen and wrongful­ly occupyed by dyuers kynges of Fraunce before honde to haue & to holde to kynge Edwarde & to hys heyres & successours for euermore. frely pesybly and in good quyete vpō this couenaunt that y^e kynge of Englonde sholde leue of and releasen all his ryght & clayme that he had claymed of the kyngdome of fraūce and of the tytle that he toke therof / vpon whyche speche and couenauntes it was sente to the courte of Rome on both sydes of the kynges. that y^e for­sayd couenaunt sholde de enbulled. but god ordeyned better for the kynges worshyp of Englonde. for what thrugh fraude & dysceyte of the frensshmē and what thrugh lettynge of the pope & of the court of Rome the forsayd couenaū ­tes were dysquate and left of. ¶And in the same yere the kyng reuoked by his wyse and dys­crete coūseyll / the staple of wulles out of flaundres into Englonde with all y^e lybertees fraunches and fre customes that longed therto and ordeyned it in Englōde in diuerse places / that is for to saye atte westmestre / Caunterbury. Chychestre. Brystowe. Lyncoln. And Hulle wyth all the forsayd thynges that longen ther­to. And that this thynge that shold thus be done the kynge swore hymself therto / and pryn­ce Edwarde hys sone wyth other many grete wytnesses that there where present. ¶And the xxx· yere of hys regne anone after wytsontyde in the parlemente ordeyned att westmenstre it was tolde and certefyed to the kyng that Phylyp that helde the kyngdome of Fraunce was deed. And that Iohan his sone was crowned kynge. And that this Iohan had gyuen Karoll his sone the duchye of Guyhen. of the whiche thynge kynge Edwarde whan he wyst therof he had greate Indygnacyon vnto hym & was wonder wrothe & strongly meued. And therfo­re afore alle the wrothy lordes that there were assembled at that parlement callyd Edwarde his sone vnto hym / to whom y^e duchye of Guyhen by ryght herytage sholde longe to & gaue it hym there byddynge & strenthynge hym that he sholde ordeyne hym for to defende hym and auenge hym vpō his enmyes and saue & mayntene his ryght. And afterwarde kyng Edwarde hymself / & his eldest sone Edwarde went to dyuers places and sayntes in Englonde on pylgrymage for to haue the more helpe & grace of god and of his sayntes. And y^e .ii. kal of Iuyll. whan all thynge was redy to that vyage & ba­tayll & all his retenue & power assembled & hys nauy also redy he toke with hym y^e erle of war­wyk the erle of Suffolk the erle of Salysbury and the erle of Oxforde & a thousande men of armes & as many archers / and in the Natyuyte of our lady / toke theyr shyppes at plūmouth & began to sayll. And whan he come & was ar­ryued in Guyon / he was there worshypfully taken & recyued of the moost noblest men and lordes of that countree. ¶And anone after kynge Edwarde toke wyth hym his two sones. [Page] that is to saye. syr Lyonell erle of Vlton & syr Iohn̄ hys brother erle of Rychemonde & syr Henry duke of Lancastre wyth many erles & lordes and men of armes & two thousande Archers & saylled towarde Fraunce & rested hym a whyle at Calays & after the kyng went with hys hoste aforsayd & with other souldyours of beyonde the see that there abode the kyngꝭ co­mynge the seconde daye of Nouembre and toke hys Iourney towarde kynge Iohn̄ of Fraū ce there as he trowed to haue founde hym fast by Odoma (rum) as hys letters and couenaūt ma­de mencyon y^t he wolde abyde hym there with hys host. And whan kynge Iohan of Fraunce herde telle of the kynges comynge of Englon­de / he wente awaye wyth his men and carya­ge cowardly and shamfully fleynge and was­tynge all vytayls that Englsshmē sholde not haue ther of. ¶And whan kynge Edwarde / herde telle that he fledde he pursued hym wyth all his host tyll Henede / and than he beholdynge the scarsyte and waytynge of vytayls and also the cowardyse of the kyng of Fraunce he torned ayen wastynge all the countre. ¶And whyle all thyse thynges were a doynge / y^e scottes pryuely & by nyght. toke the towne of Berwyk sleynge theym that withstode theym and no man els. But blessyd be god the castell was saued & kept by Englysshmen that were ther­in whan the kynge perceyued alle thys / he tor­ned ayen in to Englonde as wrothe as he my­ghte be / wherfore in the parlemēt at westmynstre was grauntyd to the kynge of euery sacke of wulle .l. shellyngꝭ durynge y^e terme of .vi. yere that he myght myghtlyer fyght and defende the reame ayenste the Scottes and other mys­doers. And so whan all thynges were redy the kynge hasted hym to warde the syege.

¶How kyng Edwarde was crowned kynge of Scotlonde / and howe prynce Edwarde toke the kynge of Fraunce and syr Philyp hys yonger sone at the batayll of Peyters.

ANd in the .xxxi. yere of hys regne the .xiii. daye of Ianyuere the kynge beyn­ge in the castell of Berwyk with a fewe men / but he hauynge· there faste by a greote hoost. The towne was yolden vnto hym without o­ny maner defence or dyffyculte. Thā the kynge of Scotlond that is for to saye syr Iohn̄ Bay­loll consyderynge howe that god dyde many meruaylles and gracyous thynges for kynge Edwarde att his owne wyll fro daye to daye / he toke & gaaf vp the reame of Scotlonde and the crowne of Scotlond at Rokesburgh in y^e kynges hondes of Englonde vnder hys patent letter there made. And anone after kynge Edwarde in presence of all the prelates and other worthy men & lordes that were there lette hym crowne kyng of Scotlond. And whan all thinges were done and erdeyned in that countres at his wyll / he torned ayen into englonde with a greate worshyppe. ¶And whyle this vyage was in doynge in Scotlonde / syre Edwarde prynce of wales as a man enspyred ī god was in Guyhen in the cytee of Burdeux treatynge and spekyge of the chalenge and of the kyn­ges ryght of Englonde that he hadde to the re­ame of Fraūce / & that he wold be auēged wyth stronge honde / and to the prelateg peres and myght men of that countree consented welle to hym. Than syr Edwarde the prynce wyth a greate hooste gadred to hym the .vi. daye of Iuyll wente frome Burdeux goynge and tra­ueylynge by many dyuerse countrees / and he tooke many prysoners moo than ·vi. thousan­de mem of armes by the countree as he wente and tooke the towne of Remorantyne in Sa­loygne and besyeged the castell .vi. dayes· And att the .vi. dayes ende they yolde the castell vn­to hym / and there was taken the lorde of crowne and syr Bursygaude and many other kny­ghtes and men of armes moo than .lxxx. And fro thens by Toren and Peten fast by Chyneney hys noble men that were with hym hadde a stonge batayll with Frensshmen / and an hundred of theyr men of armes were slayne. And the erle of Daunce and the stewarde of / fraunce were taken wyth an hondred men of armes In the whyche yere the .xix. daye of Septem­bre faste by Pyeters the same prynce wyth a thousande and .ix. hondred men of armes and archers ordeyned a batayll to kynge Iohan of fraunce comynge tho the prynce warde wyth .vii. thousande chosen men of armes and mo­che other people a greate nombre / of the why­che were slayne the duke of Burbon and the duke of Athenes and many other noble men & ef the prynces men of armes a thousande and of other the trewe accompte and rekenynge .viii.C. And there the kynge of France was taken and syr Phylyp his yonger sone and many dukes and noble men and worthy knyghtes [Page lxxxxix] and men of armes aboute two .M. and so the vyctory fell there the prynce / and to the peple of Englonde by the grace of god. And ma­ny that were taken prysoners were sette at theyr raunson and vpon theyr trouthe and kny­ghthode were charged and hadde leue to goo. But the prynce tooke wyth hym the kynge of Fraunce and Philyp his sone with alle the re­uerence that he myghte & wente ayen to Bur­deux wyth a gloryous vyctory / the somme of the men that there were taken prysoners and of theym that were slayne the daye of batayll .iiii.M.iiii.C.xl. and in the .xxxii. yere of kyn­ge Edwarde the .v. daye of Maye prynce Ed­warde with kynge Iohn̄ of Fraunce and Philyp hys sone & many other worthy prysoners arryued gracyously in the hauen of plūmouth And the .xxiiii. daye of the same moneth abou­te thre after none they came to London by Lō don brydge and so wente forthe to the kynges palays atte westmynstre / and there came soo grete a multytude & presse of peple abowte theym to beholde and se that wonder and ryall sy­ghte that vnnethes fro maddaye tylle nyghte myghte they not come to westmyster. And the kynges raunson of Fraunce was taxed and sette to thre myllyons of scutes / of whom two sholde be worthe a nobell. And ye shall vnderstande that a myllyon is a thousande thousan­de / and after some mennys raunson was set­te att thre thousande thousaynde floreyns and all is one effecte· And this same yere were made Iustꝭ solempne in Smytfende beynge pre­sent the kynge of Englonde / the kyng of Fra­unce / and the kynge of Scotlonde / and many other worthy and noble lordes. ¶The .xxxiii. yere of his regne the same kynge Edwarde at wynsore as well for loue of knyght hode as for his ownne worshyppe and att reuerence of the kynge of fraunce and other lordes that were there att that tyme / he held a wonder ryal and costly feest of saynt George passynge ony that euer was holden afore. wherfore the kynge of fraunce in scornynge sayd that he saw neuer ne herde suche a solempne festes ne ryaltes holden ne done wyth taylles wythoute payenge of golde or syluer. ¶And in the .xxxiii. yere of hys regne the .xiiii. kalendas of Iulii. Syre Iohan erle of Rychmonde kynge Edwardes sone wedded dame blaunche duke Henryes doughter of Lancastre cosyn to the same Iohan by dyspencyon of the pope. And in the meane tyme were ordeyned Iustes atte London thre dayes of roga [...]yons / that is for too saye. The Mayer of London wyth his .xxiiii. aldermen ayenst alle that wolde come / in whoos name and stede the kynge pryuely wyth his foure sones Edwarde / Lyonell / Iohan and Edmon­de and other .xix. greate lordes helden the felde. with worshyppe. ¶And this same yere as it was tolde and sayd of theym that sawe it there come blood out of y^e combe of Thomas somtyme erle of Lancastre as fresshe as that daye that he was done to dethe. ¶And in the same yere kynge Edwade chose this sepulture and hys lyggynge att westmestre faste by the shry­ne of saȳt Edwarde. and anone after the xxvi. daye of Octobere. he wente ouer see to Calays makynge protestacōn that he wolde neuer [...] me ayen into Englonde tyll he had in endes the warre bytwene fraūce and hym ¶And soo in the .xxvi. yere of hys regne in the wynter co­me kyng Edward was & trauaylled in the Ryne costes. And aboute saynt Hyllarye tyde he departes his host and went to Burgon war­de / wyth whom than met peasybly the duke of Bourgon. behyghtynge him .lxx. thousande floreyns that he sholde spare hys men and h [...]s peple / & the kynge grauntyd att his requeste. And dwelled vnto the .xvii. daye of Marche y^t whiche tyme come to kynge Edwardes eere that strōge theues were on the see vnder the erle of saynt Poule the .xv. daye of Marche [...]yggyn­ge a wayte vpon the townes of Rastynge Rye and other places & vyllages on the see cost hadden entred as enmyes in to the towne of wyn­chelle / and slewe all that euer withstode them and with sayd theyr comynge. wherfore y kynge was gretly meued and wratthed and he tor­ned ayen so warde Parys. and cōmaūded his hoste to dystroye and sle all with strench of swerde that he had before honde spared. And y^e .iii. daye of Apryl the kyng come to Parys & there departed his host in dyuers batayls with .iiii.C. knyghtes newe dubbyd on that one syde of hym. And syr Henry duke of Lancastre vnder peas & trewes went vnto the yates of the cyte proferynge to them y^t wolde abyde a batayll in the felde vnder suche condicyon y^t yf the kynge of Englonde were ouer comen there / as god forbyd it sholde / y^t than he sholde neued chalenge the kyngdom of fraunce. And there he had [Page] of theym but short & scornfull answere & came & tolde it to the kynge & his lordes what he had herde & what they sayd / And then̄e went forth the newe kynghtes with many other makyng assawte to the cyte & they dystroyed the subbarbes of the cyty. And whyle al these thynges were doynge the Englysshmen made them redy for to be auenged vpon the shame and dyspyte that was done y^e yere at wynshelse and ordey­ned a nauye of .lxxx· shyppes of men of Lon­don and of other marchauntes & .xiii. thousande men of armes and archers and went & ser­ched and skūmed the see and manly token and helde the yle of Caux. wherfore the Frensshmen that is for to say the abbot of Cluyn the erle of Tankeruyll & bursygaude y^t tho was stewar­de of Fraunce wyth many other men of the same coūtre by y^e comune assent of y^e lorde Charles y^t th [...] was regned of Fraunce they hastyd them & went to the kyng of Englond askynge & besechynge hym stedfaste peas & euerlastynge vpon certayne condycōnes y^t there were shewed wryten / The whiche whan y^e kyng & hys coūseyll had seen it / it pleased hym neuer a deale. but syth it wolde be none other wyse y^e tyme of better accorde & delyberacyon / y^e Frensshe­men besely & with grete in staūce asked trewes for the see costes. and the kyng graūtyd them. ¶And in the morow after the vtas of Pasche the kynge torned hym wyth his host to warde Orlyaūce destroyenge & wastynge all y^e coūtre by the way. And as they went theder ward there felle vpon theym seche a storme & tempest y^t none of our nacyon neuer herde ne sawe none suche. thrugh the whyche thousandes of ouer men & thryr horses in theyr Iourney as it we­re thrugh vengeaunce sodeynly were slayne & perysshed. the whiche tempestꝭ were full grete yet fered not y^e kyng ne moche of his peple but they wente forth in theyr vyage y^t they had begōne / wherfore about y^e feest of Phylyp & Ia­cob in May fast by in Carnocū the for sayd lordes of Fraūce metynge there with the kyng of Engelonde apsyble accorde & a fynall vpon certayne condyons & graūts artycularly ga­dred wryten togyder euermore for to laste dys­certly made & to both the kynges proffytable & to both theyr reames of one assente of Charles the regner & gouernour of Fraūce & of Parys of the same reame wryten & made vnder dare of carnocū the .xv. daye of May. they offred & ꝓffred to y^e kyng of Englōd requyring his grace in all thynges wryten y^t he wolde benyngl [...] admyt them & holde thē [...]erme & stable to thē & to theyr heyres for euermore thens for the / the whiche thyngꝭ & artycles whan kyng Edwar­de had seen thē he graūtyd them so y^t both par­tyes sholde be sworne on goddes body / & on the Euangelyst y^t the for sayd couenaunt sholde be stablysshe & so they accorded graciously Therfore were ordeyned and dressed on euery syde two barons two baronettes and two kyngh­tes to admitte and receyue that othes of y^e lord Charles regēt of Fraūce & of syr Eeward the fyrste sone and heryre of kynges Edwarde of Englonde. And the .x· daye of May there was songen a solempne masse at Parys. and after the Agnus dei sayd with dona nobys pace [...] in presence of y^e for sayd men y^t were ordeyned to Admitte & receyue the othes & of all other y^t there myght be. Soo Charles layd hys ryght. honde on the patent with goddes bodye & hys left honde on the myssall & sayd we. N. sweren on goddes body & the holy gospels y^t we shall trewly & stedfastly hold toward vs y^e peas & y^e accorde made bytwene the two kynges / and [...] all hys lordes for more loue and strenth of wytnesse he deased and departed the relyques of y^e crowne of Cryst to the knyghtes of Englond & they token curtously theyr leue / & the fryday nexte the same othe in presence of the forsayde knyghtes & of other worthy mē prynce edwar­de made att Louers. Afterwarde both kynges & theyr sones & the moost noble men of both re­ames. within the same yere made y^e same othe & for to strength all these thyngꝭ afore sayd the kynge of Englond axyd y^e gretest men of fraunce. & had his askynge that is to saye .vi. dukes .viii. erles & .xii. lordes all noble barons & good knyghtes And whan y^e place & tyme was assygned in whiche both kynges with theyr counsell sholde come to gyders. al y^e forsayd thynges bytwene theym spoken for to retefye & make fer­me and stable / the kyng of Englond anone wē te toward the see & at Hountflet began to saylle leuynge to hys hostes that were lefte behynde hym by cause of his absence made moche heuynes and after the .xix. day of Maye he came in to Englond & went to his palays att westmynstre of saynt Dunstons daye & the thyrde daye after he vysyted Iohan Kynge of / fraunce that was in the tour of London and delyuerd hym [Page c] frely from all maner of pryson / sauf fyrst they were accorded of thre myllyons of floreyns for his raunsōme / and the kynge comfortyd hym & cheryd hym in all places wyth all solace and myrthes that longen to a kynge in his goynge home warde. ¶And the .ix. daye of Iulii in the same yere this same Iohan kynge of / fraunce that afore laye here in hostage wente home ay­en / in too his owne londe to treate of tho thyn­ges and other that londe and fallen to the go­uernaunce of his reame. ¶And afterwarde mette and came togyder att Calays bothe two kynges with bothe theyr counseyll aboute all Halowen tyde. And there were shewed the condicyons and the poyntes of the peas and of the accorde of bothe sydes wrytten / and there with out ony with sayenge of bothe sydes gracyous­ly they were accorded And there was done and songen a solempne masse and after the thyrde Agnus dei / vpon goddes body and also vppon the masse boke bothe the kynges & theyr sones and the grettest lordes of bothe reames and of theyr counseyll that there were presente & had not sworne before the forsayde othe that they had made and tytled bytwene theym they be­hyghten to kepe / and alle other couenauntes that there bytwene them ordeyned· ¶And in thys same yere men beestes trees and houses wyth sodayne tempeste and stronge lyghtnyn­ge were perysshed / and the deuyll apperyd bo­dely mannes lyknes to moche people as they wente in dyuers places in the countrees / and spake to theym in that lyknes.

¶How the greate company arose in / fraunce / and the whyte company in Lombardye and of other meruaylles.

Kynge Edwarde in the .xxxvi. yere of his regne anone after Crystenmasse in the feest of the conuersyon of Saynt Poule helde parlemente at westmestre / in the whyche par­lemente was put forthe and shewed the accor­de and the treates that was stablisshed and made bytwene the twoo kynges whyche accorde pleased to moche people. And therfore by the kynges commaundement / there were gadred and come togyder in westmynster chyrche the fyrste sondaye of lente. That is to saye the .ii. kal / february. the forsayd Englysshemen and frensshmen where was songe a solempne mas­se of the Trynyte of the Archebysshop of Caunterbury mayster Symonde Issepe. And whan Agnus dei was done the kynge beynge there with his sones / And also the kynges sones of fraunce. and other noble and greate lordes / wyth candell lyght and crosses brought forth / and that were callyd therto / that were notte sworne afore swore y^e same othe that was wry­ten vppon goddes bodye & on the masse booke in thys wyse / we / .N. and .N: sweren vppon goddes body and on the holy gospels stedfastly for to holde and kepe towarde vs the peas. and the accorde made bytwene the two kȳges and neuer for to do the contrary / & whan they had thus sworne they toke theyr scrowes that theyr othes were comprehended into the notaryes. And in this same yere in the Ascencyons euen aboute myddaye / was seen the clypses of y^e sonne / And there folowed suche a drought that for defaute of rayne there was grete brennynge of corne fruyte and hey. ¶And in the same mo­neth the .vi. kal of Iune there fell a sanguyne rayne almoste lyke blode at Burgon. and a sāguyne crosse from morne vnto pryme apered & was seen at Bolyn in the heyre the whiche many men saw / and after it meued and felle in the myddes of the see. ¶And in the same tyme [...] fraunce and Englond and many other londes as they that were in playne countre [...]s and d [...] ­serte / baren withnesse sodeynly there apperyd two castels / of the whiche wēte out two hostes of armed mē. And that one hoste was closed in whyte and that other in blacke. and whan Batayll bytwene theym was begonne the whyte ouer came the blacke toke herte tho theym and ouer come the whyte and after that they wente ayen in to theyr castels: and thā the castels and all the hoost vanysshed away. ¶And in this same yere was a grete and an huge pestylence of people and namely of mē / whoos wyues as womē out of gouernaunce toke husbondes as well straungers as other lewde and symple pe­ple. the whyche forgetynge theyr honoure and worshyp coupled and maryed theym with thē that were of lowe degre and lytyll repuracyon ¶In this same yere deyed Henry duke of Lā ­castre. ¶And also in this same yere Edwarde prynce of walys wedded the countesse of Ken­te that was syr Thomas wyf of Holōde y^t whiche was departed somtyme & deuorced fro the erle of Salysbury for cause of the same knyght ¶And aboute this tyme begā and rose a grete [Page] company of dyuerse nasoyns gadred togyder of whom theyr leders & gouernours were Englysshe people & they were called a peple wyth out ony hede the whyche dyd moche harme in the partye of fraunce· ¶And not longe after there arose an other company of dyuerse nacy­ons that was called the whyte company / the whiche in the partyes and countrees of Lombardy dyde moche sorowe. ¶This same yere syr Iohan of Gaunt the sone of kyng Edwarde the thyrde was made duke of Lancastre by reason & cause of his wyf y^t was the doughter & the heyre of Henry somtyme duke of Lācaster.

¶Of the greate wynde / and how prynce Edwarde tooke the lordshyp of Guyhē of his fader and wente theder·

ANd in the .xxxvii. yere of kyng Edwar­de the .xv. daye of Ianyuer / that is too saye on saynt Maryes daye about euynsonge tyme there arose & come suche a wynde out of the southe wyth suche a fyersnes and strenthe that it brasted and blewe downe to the groun­de hyghe houses and stronge buyldynges toures chirches & steples and other strōge places and all other stronge werkes that stoden stylle were shaken ther with that they ben yet & shall euermore be the febler and weyker whyle they stande. And this wynde lasted without ony cessynge .vii. dayes contynually· And anone af­ter there folowed suche waters in the hey ty­me and in the haruest tyme that all felde wer­kes were strongely lette and lefte vndoyn. ¶And in the same yere prynce Edwarde toke the lordshyp of Guyhen & dyde to kynge Ed­wyrde his fader homage and feaute therof / & wente ouer see in to Gascoyne with his wyf & chyldren. ¶And anone after kynge Edward made hys sone Lyonell duke of Clarence. and syr Edmonde his other sone / erle of Cambridge / & in the .xxxviii. yere of his regne it was or­deyned in the parlement that men of lawe bo­the of the chyrche and temporeslawe shold fro that tym for the plete in theyr moder tonge. ¶And in y^e same yere in to Englond thre kyn­ges that ys to saye the kynge of Fraunce the kynge of Cypres and the kynge of Scotlonde by cause to vysyte and for to speke with y^e kynge of Englonde. And after that they had be here longe tyme two of them went home in to theyr owne countres and kyngodms / but y^e kyn­ge of Fraunce throughte greate sekenesse and malady that he had abode stylle in Englonde. And in the .xxxix. yere of his regne. was a strō ­ge & a grete froste & that lasted longe that is to saye fro Saynt Andrewes tyde to the .xiii. kal of Apryls / that the tylthe and sowynge of the erthe and other suche feld werkes and honde werkes were moche lette and lefte vndoyne for colde & hardnes of the erth. And at orray in Brytayn was ordeyned a grete dedely bataylle bytwene syre Iohn̄ of Mountforde duke of Brytayne and syr charles of Bloys / but vyc­tory fell to the forsayd syr Iohn̄ thrughe helpe and socour of thenglysshmen. And there were taken many knyghtes & squyres & other men that vnnōbred / in y^e whiche batayll was slayne Charles hymself with all y^t stode about hym & of Englysshmen were slayne but seuen. and in this yere deyed at sauoy Iohan the kynge of fraunce whos seruyce & exequyes kyng edwarde lete ordeyne & dyd in dyuers places worhyp­fully to be done / and at Douer of worshypful men ordeyned hym worthely tho be ledde with his owne costes and expēces / & fro thens was brought to fraunce & buryed at saynt Denys. ¶In the .xl. yere of kyng Edwarde the vii. kal of Februer was borne Edwarde prynce Edwards sone y^e whiche whan he was .vii. yere of-aege he deyed· And in the same yere it was or­deyned y^t saynt Peters pens fro y^e tyme forthe sholde not be payed the whyche kyng yuo som­tyme kynge of Englond of the countre of west saxen y^t began to regne y^e yere of our lord god .vi· hondred .lxxix. fyrst graunted to Rome for y^e scole of Englond therto be contynued. ¶And in thys same yere there fell a grete rayne in hey tyme y^t it wasted & dystroyed both corne & hey. And there was suche debate & fyghtinge of sparowes by dyuerse places in these dayes y^t men founde innumerable dede in the feldes as they wente. And there fell also suche a pestylence y^t neuer seen suche in noo mannes dayes y^t than lyued / for men y^t wente to beded hole & in good poynt sodenly they dyed. ¶Also y^e tyme a sykenes that men calle the pockes slewe bothe mē & women thrugh theyr enfectinge. ¶And in the xli. yere of kynge Edward was borne at Bur­deux Rycharde the seconde sone of prynce Edwarde of Englond / the whiche Rychard kynge Rycharde of Amorycan heueden at the foū [...] stone after whom he was called Rychard. and this same Rycharde whan his fader was deed [Page ci] & kyng Edwarde also / he was crowned kyng of Englonde the .xi. yere of his aege thrugh ryghte lyne and herytage / & also by the com [...]ne assent and desyre of y^e comynalte of the reame. ¶Aboute this tyme at kyng Edwardes com­maundement of Englond whan all the castels & townes were yolden to hym that longe were holden in / fraunce by a grete company assem­bled togyder syr Bartram Claykyn a noble knyght and a good warryour wente and pur­posed hym to put out Pers kynge of Spayne out of his kyngdome with helpe of the mooste partye of the forsayd grete company trustynge also vpon helpe and fauour of the pope for as moche as it come to his eeres that y^e same pers sholde lede & vse a synfull lyf / the whiche Pers smyten wyth drede of this tydynge fledde into Gascoyne to prynce Edwarde for to haue so­coure of hym. And whan he was fledde out of Spayne Henry his broder that was bastarde by assent of the moost party of Spayne & thru­ghe helpe of y^e ferefull company that I spake of fyrst was crowned kyng of Spayne. & y^e nom­bre of that same cōpany was rekened & sette at the nombre of .xl.M. fytynge men. ¶This sa­me yere in the moneth of Iune there come a grete cōpany & a nauye of y^e Danes gadred them togyder in the Northe see purposynge them to come into Englonde to reue and to robbe and also to sle with whom they countred & mette in the see. maryners and other gode fytynge men o [...] the countre & dysperpled theym. And they ashamyd went home ayen into theyr owne coū ­tre / but amonge y^e other there was a boystous vessell and a stronge of theyr nauye that was ouer saylled by the Englysshmen & was perysshed & drenched In the whiche the Stewarde & other worthy and greate men of Denmarke were taken prysoners / & the kynge of Englon­de & his coūseyll prysoned them. the whiche lordes the Danes afterwarde sought them all a­bout for to haue hadde them ayen wyth. theyr goodes y^t they had lost / & they not well apayed ne pleased of y^e answer that they had / & they torned homwardes ayen leuynge behynde thē in there Innes preuely writen in scrowes and on walles. yet shall Danes wast the wanes Thenne happed there an Englysshe wryter & wrote ayenst the Duke in this manere (here shall Da­nes fette theyr banys) ¶And in this time pers the kynge of Spayne with other kynges that is to saye. the kynge of Nauerne and the kynge of Malogre beynge meanes wenten bytwene and prayed counseyll and helpe of syr Edwarde the prynce whos counseyll whan he had vnderstandynge theyr artycles and desyre that he was requyred of tho kynges / lothe he was and ashamed to saye nay and contrary to them. But netheles he was a gast lest it shold be ony preiudyce ayenst the pope and longe tyme taryed them or that he wolde graunte or consente therto tyll he had better counseyl rauysemente with good delyberacyon of kyng Edward his fader. But whan they were with hym euery day & contynually besechynge of many noble men requyred & spoken to / & with many pray­ers sente & made bytwene them. thā prynce ed­ward sente to his fader both by cōplaynyng letters & also by confortable conteynyng al theyr suggestyons & causes wyth all y^e other kynges epystles & letters for to haue cōforte & helpe of the wronges not only done to the kyng Spayne. but also for suche thynges as myght falle to other kynges. Also yf it were not y^e soner holpē and amended thrugh the done & helpe of kny­ghthode to thē that it asked & desyred. ¶The whiche letter whan the kynge & hys counseyll had seen suche a kynge spoylynge & robbynge with moche merueyll. And sente ayen comfortable letters to prynce Edwarde hys sone & to that other kynges & warned them for to arme them & ordeyne theym ayenst that misdoer and to withstande them by the helpe of god that were suche enmies to kynges. whā this noble prȳ ce had receyued this letters / hym self with that other kynges before sayd all there counseyl called togider or that he wolde vndertake the quarell he bounde & knytte sore y^e kynge that was deposed with a grete oth / that is to saye that he sholde euer after mayntene the ryght byleue & faythe of holy chyrche / and also wyth all theyr mynysters ryghtes & libertees to defende from all theyr enmyes & all euylles. And al that were there ayenst bytterly to punysshe & destroble & al y^e ryghtꝭ lybertes preuyleges of holy chirche encrease & mayntene / & amende alle thynges y^t were wronfully taken withdrawen and borē a waye by hym or by ony other by cause of hym hastely to restore ayen & to dryue and put oute sarasyns & all other mysbyleued people out of his kyngdom wyth all his strenth & his power and suffre ne admitte none suche for no manere [Page] thynge ne cause to dwelle therin / And that whan he had taken a crysten woman he sholde neuer come in to none other womans bedde / ne none other mannes wyfe to defoyle. ¶All thyse for sayd thynges trewly for to kepe con­tynue and fulfyll as alle hys lyfe tyme he was douuden by othe afore notaryes in presence & wytnesse of tho kynges wyth other prynces. ¶And than that gracyous prynce Edwarde vndertoke the cause & the quarell of the kyng that was deposed and behyghte hym with the grace of almyghty god to restore hym ayen to his kyngdom / & lette ordeyne & gadre togyder forth with in alle haste his nauye with men of armes for to warre and fyght in his for sayde cause. ¶And in this same yere vpon the sande of the Scottes see y^t many a man sawe it thre dayes togyder there were seen two Egles / of the whiche y^e one come out of the southe & that other out of the north & cruelly & strongly they fought togyder & wrastled togyder / & the south elge fyrst ouercome y^e north Egle & all to rente hym with his bylle & his clawes y^t he shold not reste ne take no byrthe & the south Egle fleyth home to his owne costes· ¶And anone after there folowed & was seen in the morne after y^e sonne rysynge & after in the last daye of Octo­bre sauynge one many sterres gaddred togyder on an hepe felle downe to the erthe leuynge byhynde them fyre bemes in maner of lyghtnynge / was flammes brent & cōsumed mens clothes & mens heer wallyng on y^e erth as it was sene & knowē of many a man. ¶And yet y^t northern wynde y^t is redy & destymate to alle ylle fro saynt Katherynes eue tyll thre dayes after loste grete good without nobre. ¶And in this same dayes ther fell & also come such lyghtnynge thondre snowe & hayll that it wasted and destoyed men bestetes howses and trees.

¶Of the batayll of Spayne besyde the watre of Naxers that was bytwene prynce Ed­warde / and syr Henry bastarde of Spayne.

IN the yere of our lord a .M.CCC.lxvii and of kynge Edwarde .xlii. the thyrde daye of Aprylle there was a stronge batayll & a grete in large felde called Pryazers faste by the water of Nazers in Spayne bytwene syre Edwarde the prynce & syr Henry the bastarde of Spayne / but the vyctory fyll to prynce Ed­warde by the grace of god. ¶And this same prynce Edwarde had with hym syr Iohn̄ du­ke of Lācastre his broder & other worthy men of armes about the nombre of .xxx. thousand. ¶And the kynge of Spayne had on hys syde men of dyuers nacyons to the nombre of an hondred thousande & moo / wherfore the shar­penesse and fyersnesse of hys aduersary wyth his fyll boystous and grete strenthe made and dryue y^e ryghtfull partye a backe a grete waye but thrugh the grace of almyghty god passyn­ge ony mannes strenth that greate hoste was dysparpled myghtefully by the noble duke of Lancastre and his hoost / or y^e prynce Edwar­de came nyghe hym. And whan Henry bastarde sawe that / he torned with his men in so grete haste and strenth for to flee / that a gret company of them in the for sayd flood & of y^e brydge ther of fellen dowen & perysshed. And also the­re were taken the erle of Dene & syr Bartram Cleykyn that was cheyfmaker and cause of y^e warre & also cheyftayne of the vauntwarde of the bataylle wyth many other greace lordes and knyghtes to the nombre of two thousan­de / of whome two hondred were of Fraun­ce and many also of Scotlonde. ¶And there were felled in the felde on oure enmyes syde of lordes & knyghtes wyth other meyn people to the nombre of .vi. thousande and moo / and of Englysshmen but a fewe. And after this the noble prynce Edward restored y^e same Peers to this kyngdome ayen / the whiche Peers afwarde thrugh trechery and falsnes of the for­sayd basterd of Spayne as he satte at his mete he was strangled & deyed. But after this vyctorye many noble men of Englond / & also hardy in Spayne thrug the flyx & dyuers other se­kenes toke theyr dethe. ¶And also in the same yere in the Marche was seen stella Come ta bytwene the north costes & y^e west whoos be­mes stretched towarde fraunce. ¶And in the next yere folowynge of kyng Edwardes regne xliii. in Apryll syr Lyonell kynge Edwardes sone that was duke of Clarnece wente to warde Melayne with a chosen meyne of the gētyls of Englonde for to wedde Galoys doughter & haue hyr to hys wyfe / by whom he sholde haue half y^e lordshyp of Melayne but after that they were solemply wedded and about y^e Natyuyte of our lady the same duke of Melayne deyed. And in the same yere / frensshmen brake the pe­as & the trewes rydynge on y^e kyngꝭ grounde & lordshyp of Englond in the shyre & countre of [Page cii] Puūtyfe / & token & helde castell & townes / & bere the Englysshmen on honde falsly & subtyll that they were cause of brekynge of trewes. & in thys same yere deyed the duches of Lācastre and is buryed worshypfully in saynte Poules chyrche. ¶The .xliiii. yere of kyng Edwardes regne was the gretest pestylence of men and of grete bestes & by the grete fallynge of waters y^t felle at that tyme / there fell grete hyndrynge & destroyenge of corne in so moche that y^e next yere after a busshell of whete was solde for .xl.d. ¶And in thys same yere about the laste ende of Maye kynge Edwarde helde tho his parle­ment at westmyster in whiche parlement was treated & spoken of the othe & trewes that was brokē bytwene hym and the kynge of / fraunce & how he myght be auenged vpon his wronge ¶In this same yere in the Assumpcyō of our lady deyed quene Phylyp of Englonde a fulle noble & gode lady & at westmyster full worshyp fully is buryed and entered And aboute mydsomer y^e duke of Lancastre & the erle of Herforde with a grete company of knyghtes wente into fraunce where as they gate them but lytel wroshyp & name / for there was a grete hoste of the frensshenmen vppon Calkhull brydge / and an other hoste of Englyssemen faste by the same brydge that lōge tyme had lyued there And many worthy & grete men of Englonde ordeyned & yaf counseyll for to fyght & yaf batayll to the frensshemen but the forsayd lordes wolde not consent therto for no maner thynge. ¶And anone after it happened that y^e erle of warwyke come thyderwarde for to warre / and whan the frensshmen herde of his comynge of that he came fully to londe they left theyr tentes & pauy­lyous wyth all theyr vytayls & fledde & went a waye pryuely. And whan the erle was comē to londe wyth his men he went in all hast towar­de Normandy & destroyed the yle of Caux with strenthe of swerde and thrugh fyre But alas in his retornynge to Englond warde home ayen at Calys he was taken with sykenes of pesty­lence & deyed not leuynge behynde hym after his dayes soo noble a knyght of armes. ¶In whyche tyme regned & warred y^e noble knyght syr Iohn̄ Hawkewod y^t was an Englysshman borne / hauynge with hym at his gouernaunce the white cōpany that is a forsayde. y^t whiche o tyme ayenst holy chirche & an other tyme ayenste lordes warred & ordeyned grete batayls and there ī that same coūtre he dyde many merueyllous thynges. ¶And aboute the cōuercyon of saynt Poule the kyng whan he had ended & done the entrynge & exequyes wyth greate costes and ryaltes about y^e sepulture of & buryeng of quene Phylyp his wyf he helde a parlement at westmyster in whyche parlement was axed or y^e clergye a thre yeres dyme / that is for to saye a grete dyme to payed thre yere durynge / & the clargye put it of and wolde not graunte it vnto Ester next comynge / & than they graunted wel that in thre yere by certayne termes that dyme sholde be payed and also of the laye fee was a thre yere .xv. graunted to the kynge.

¶How syr Robert Knolles with other certayne lordes of the reame went ouer see in to frauce and of theyr gouernaunce.

ANd in the .xlv. yere of kynge Edward in the begynnynge kynge Edwarde with vnwyse counseyll & vndyscrete borowed a grete sōme of golde of the prelates marchauntes & other ryche men of his reame saynge that it sholde despended in defendyn he of holy chyr­che & of his reame netheles it profyted no thynge / wherfore aboute mydsomer after he made a grete host of the worthyest men of hys reame Amōges whom were some lordes y^t is to say the lorde Fytzwater & the lord graunson and other worthy knyghtꝭ of whyche knyghtꝭ the kynge ordeyned syr Robert Knolles a proude kny [...]t and a welle assayd in dedes of armes for too be gouerneur / & that thrugh his counseyl & gouernaunce all thynge shold be gouerned & dressed And whan they come into / fraunce as longe as they dwelled & helde them hole togyder y^t fren­shemen durste not fall vpon them. And att the laste about y^e begynnynge of wynter for enuye & couetyse that was amōge them / and also dys­corde they sondred & parted them into dyuerse cōpanyes vnwysely & folesly. But syr Robert Knolles & hys men wente & keped thym saufe within a castell in Brytayne. And whan the frensshmen sawe y^t our men and felaushyp were diuyded into dyuerse companyes and places not holdynge ne strengthynge thym togyders as they out for to do / they felle fyersly on oure men / & for the moost partye toke them or slewe thē. & tho that they might take ledde with them prysoners. ¶And in y^e same yere pope Vrban [...] came fro rome to Auynyon for this cause that he sholde accorde & made peas bytwene y^e kyn­ge [Page] of Fraūce & the kynge of Englond for euer more. But alas or he began his treates he deyed wyth y^e sekenesse the .xxi day of Decembre / and was buryed as for the tyme in the cathe­drall chyrche of Auynyon fast by the hygh awter. and the nexte yere after whan he had lyen so his bones were taken out of the erth & buryed new in the abbay of saynt vyctorye fast by Marcylle / of the whiche abbaye he was somtyme abbot hymself. And in both places that he was baryed in there he many grete myrcales done & wrough thrugh the grace of almighty god to many mānes helpe & to the worshyp of god almghty. ¶And after whom folowed nexte and was made pope Gregorye Cardynalle Deken that before was called Pyers Roger. ¶In the same yere Lymoge rebelled & faught ayenst the prynce as other cytes dyde in Guy­hem for grete taxes cossages & raunsons y^t they were put and sete to by prynce Edwarde / whyche charges were importable / wherfore they turned fro hym and fellen to the kynge of Fra­unce. And whan prynce Edwarde this he was sore chafed & agreued / and in hys tornynge home warde ayen in to Englonde with sore scar musshes and fytynge and grete sautes fought with theym and toke the forsayd cytee and de­stroyed it almoost to the grounde and slewe all that he founde in the cyte. And than for to say the sothe for dyuerse sekenes & maladyes that he had and also for defaute of money y^t he my­ghte not with stande ne tary on hys enmyes he hyed hym ayen in to Englonde with his wyfe and menye leuynge behynde in Gascoyne the duke of Lancastre & syr Edmond erle of Cambrydge wyth other worthy and noble men of armes. ¶In the .xlvi. yere of kynge Edward at the ordynaunce and sengynge of kynge Edwarde / the kynge of Nauerne come to hym to Claryngdon to treate wyth hym of certayne thynges touchynge his warre in Normandye where kynge / Edwarde had left certayne sye­ges in his stede tyll he come ayen. But kynge Edwarde myghte not spede of that that he se­ked hym. And so the kynge of Nauerne wyth grete worshyp & grete gyftes to his leue & wente home ayen. ¶And abowte begynnynge of Marche whan the parlemente at westmyster was begon the kyng asked of the clergye a subsydye of .l.M. poūde the whiche by a good auysement and by a generall cōuocaōn of the clergye it was graunted & ordeyned that it sholde be payed and reysed of the lay fee. And in thys parlement at the request askynge of the lordes in hatred of men of holy chirche. the Chaunceler & the tresourer that were bysshops and the clerke of the pryue sale. were remeued and put out of offyce & in theyr stede were seculer men put in. And whyle thys parlement lasted there come somlepne embassatours fro the pope to treate with the kyng of peas and sayd that the pope desyred to fulfyll his predecessours wyll but for all theyr comynge they sped not.

¶Of the besygynge of Rochell & how the er­le of Penbroke & his cōpany was takē in y^e ha­uen wyth spanyerdes & all hys shyppes brent.

THe .ix. daye of Iune kynge Edward in the .xlvii. yere of his regne helde his parlemente at whynchestre & it lasted but .viii. dayes / to the whiche parlement were sompned by wryte of men of holy chyrche .iiii. bysshops & .v. abbottes without ony moo. This parle­ment was holden for marchauntes of London of Norwhiche & of other dyuerse placꝭ in dyuerse thynges and poyntes of trason that they we­re defamed of / that is to saye that they were re­bell & wolde arise ayenst the kynge this same yere the duke of Lancastre & the erle of Cambrydge his brother come out of Gascoyne into Enlonde & tooke & wedded to theyr wyues peters doughter somtyme kynge of Spayne Of whyche two doughters the duke had the elder & the erle y^e yonger. & that same tyme there were sent two Cardynals fro the pope / that is to saye an Englysshe Cardynall & a Cardynal of Parys to treate of peas bytwene these two reames / y^t whyche whan they had ben both longe eche in his prouynce & countreees fast by treatynge of the forsayd peas / att the last they toke with theym the lettes of procuracye & went ayen to Rome without ony effect of theyr purpose. ¶In this yere was there a stronge Batayll in the see bytwene Englysshmen and flemynges and y^e Englysshmen had the victory & toke .xxv. shyppes with salt and sleynge and drenchynge all y^e mē that were therin vnwetynge they they we­re of that countree. And moche harme shold haue fallen therof had not peas & accorde sone be made bytwene them. ¶And in this same yere the frensshmen besyeged the towne of Rochell wherfore the erle Penbroke was sent into gascoyne wyth a grete company of men of armes [Page ciii] for to dystroye the syege / whyche passed the see and came sauf to the hauen of Rochell / & whan they were there at the hauē mouth or that they myght entre / sodaynly come vpon them a strō ge nauye of Spanyardes y^e whiche ouercame the Englysshmen in moche blemysshynge hurtinge and sleynge of many people for as moche as the Englysshmen were than not redy for to fyght ne were ware of them. And as the Spanyerdes came vpon them all the Englysshmen other they were takē or slayne / and .x. of theym were sore woūded to the deth and all theyr shyppes brente / and there they toke the erle wyth a grete tresour of the reame of Englōde and ma­ny other noble mē also on mydsomer euen the whiche is saȳt Edeldredꝭ daye and ledde them with them into Spayne. And of this mysche­yf was no grete wonder for this erle was a full ylle lyuer as an open lechoure And also in a certayne parlemente he stode and was ayenst the ryghtes & fraunchyse of holy chyrche And also he counseylled the kyng and counseyll that he shold axe mo of men of holy chyrche than other persones of the laye mē. And for the kynge and other men of hys counseyll accepted and tooke rather ylle opynyons and causes ayenste men of holy chyrche than he dyd for to defende and mayntene the ryght of holy chyrche / it was after seen many tymes for lacke of fortune & grace they had not ne bare awaye so grete vycto­ry ne power ayenst theyr enmyes as they dyd before. ¶This same yere the kyng with a grete host entred the see to remeue the syege of Ro­chell / but the wynde was euer contrarye vn­to hym and suffred hym not lōge tyme to go fer fro the londe / wherfore he abode a certayne tyme vpon the see costes abydynge after a good wynde for thē & yet come in not So at y^e last he come thens with his mē to lond warde ayen. & anone as he was a londe y^t wynde began to torne & was in an other cost than he was afore.

¶How the duke of Lancastre with a grete hoost wente into / flaundres & passyd by Pa­rys thrugh Burgon & thrugh all fraūce tyll he come vnto Burdeux.

SOone after in the .xlviii. yere of the regne of kynge Edwarde the duke of Lancastre with a grete power went into / flaundres & passed by Parys thrugh Burgon & thrughe all / fraunce tyll he came vnto Burdeux with­out ony maner wythstandynge of the / frensshemen \ and he dyde them but lytell harme saufe he toke & raunsoned many places & townes & many men & lette theym go after frely. The same yere the kyng sent certayne embassatours to y^e pope prayenge hym that he sholde leue of & medle not in his court of the kepīge and reser­uacyōs of benefycꝭ in Englonde. And that tho that were chosē to bysshoppes sees & dignetees frely & wyth full myght Ioy & haue & be confermed to the same of theyr metropolytans & Ar­chebysshops as they were wonte to be of olde tyme Of these poyntes and of other touchynge the kyng & his reame / whan they had theyr answer of the pope / the pope enioyned them that they sholde certefy hym ayen by theyr letter of y^e kynges wyll & of hys reame or they determy­ned ought of the forsayd artycles In this same yere deyed Iohan the Archebysshop of yorke / Iohan bysshop of Ely / wyllyam byssop of worcestre. In whoos stedes folowed & were made bysshops by auctoryte of pope. master. Alexander Neuyll to the Archebysshop of yorke. Thomas of Arūdell to the bysshopryche of Ely. and syr Henry wakfelde to the bysshopryche of worcestre. In the whiche tyme it was ordened in y^e parlement that all Cathedrall chyrches shold Ioy & haue theyr eleccōns hole & y^t the kyng fro that tyme afterwarde shold not wrytte ayenst thē that were chosen / but rather helpe them by his letters to theyr confyrmacyon & this statute dyd moche profyte. ¶And in this parlemēt was graūtyd to the kynge a dyme of the clergy & a .xv. of lay fee. ¶In the .xlix. of the regne of kyng Edward deyed Mayster wyllyam wyt­lesey Archebysshop of Caunterbury & the mō kes of the same chirche asked and desyred a cardynall of Englonde to be Archebysshop. & therfore the kyng was agreued & ment & purposed to haue exyled the mōkes of the same. and they spended moche good or they myght haue y^e kynges grace ayen & his loue but yet wold the kynge not consent ne graunt to theyr eleccōn of y^e Cardynall ne of the pope also ne his Cardynalles. ¶And at the begynnyge of August it was treated & spoken at Bruges of certayne poyn­tes / and artycles hangynge bytwene the pope and the kynge of Englond / this treates lasted almoost too yere. And at the laste it was accorded bytwene theym that the pope fro that ty­me forth sholde not vse ne dele wyth the reser­uacyons of benefytes in Englonde / and that [Page] the kynge sholde not graunt ne lette no benefyces by hys wrytte y^t is called (Quare impedyt) But as touchynge the eleccion abouesayd there was noo thynge touched ne done. And that was wyted and put vpon certayne clerkes the whiche rather supposed and hoped to be auaū ced & promoted to bysshhpryches whiche they desyred and coueyted by the court of Rome rather than by ony other eleccyons / ¶This sa­me yere about Candelmasse there mette togy­der att Bruges many noble & worthy men of bothe sydes and reames to trete of peas bitwene tho two kynges. And this tretes lasted two yere with grete costes & large expensens of bo­the partyes. And at the laste they went & departed thens without ony accorde or effecte. The next yere after the .l. yere of kynge Edward y^e .iiii. Non̄ of May beynge yet voyde & vacaunt the Archebysshopryche of Caunterbury may­ster Symonde sudbery bysshoppe of London was made Archebysshop & mayster wyllyam courteney that was bysshop of Herforde was than made bysshop of London / & the bysshop of Bangor was made bysshop of Herforde. ¶And this same tyme in a certayne treates & spekynge of peas trewes was taken bytwene them of Fraūce & Englonde fro mydsomer to mydsomer come ayen an hole yere & about the begynnyng of Aprell y^e duke of brytayne wyth many erles barons and worthy lordes & men of Englond went ouer see in to Brytayn where he hathe had all his luste desyre & purpose ne had the for sayd trewes be soo soone taken the whiche letted them. ¶This same tyme the yle of Constantyne where that the castell of saynt Saueour is in. that longe tyme was foughten at & besyeged of the Frensshmen than yelde to the Frensshmen with al the apportenaūtes in to grete harme & hyndrynge of y^e reame of En­glonde And thys same yere there were so grete and so passynge hetes & ther with all a gret pestylence in Englonde & in other dyuerse party­es of [...]he worlde y^t it destroyed & slewe vyolently & strōgly both men & wymen without nom­bre. Thys same yere deyed syr Edwarde y^e lorde spencer a worthy knyghte & a bolde & in the mynster of Teukesbury worshipfully is buryed. And lastynge this pestilence the pope at the instaunce and prayer of an Englysshe Cardy­nale graunted to all people that deyed in Englonde that were sory & repentaūt for theyr synnes and also shryuē full remyssyon by two bulles vnder lede .vi. monethes than next to last. ¶In this same yere the erle of Penbroke was taken & raūsoned bi Bartram Clayken bytwene Parys & Calays as he come towarde Eng­lond vpon saynt Atheldredes day y^t whiche saynt as it was sayd the erle oftentymes had affē ded / and within a lytyll whyle after he deyed. ¶And in Nouembre next after there mette at Bruges the duke of Lancastre and the duke of Angoy with many other lordes and prelates of bothe reames for to treate of peas.

¶Of the dethe of prynce Edwarde and of the lorde Latymer and dame Alyce peres thrughe whome and hyr maynteners y^e Reame ma­ny a daye was mysgouerned.

NOt longe after the .li. yere of Kyng Edwardes regne he lette ordeyne & holde at westmynster the grettest parlement y^t was seen many a yere afore. In the whiche parlemente he asked of the comynaltee of the reame as hee had done afore a grete subsydye to be graunted to hym for defēdynge of hym and of his reame but y^e comunes answerd that they were soo ofte daye by daye greued & charged with so mani talag [...]s & subsydyes y^t they myght no lēger suf­fre noo suche burthōs and charges & that they knewe & wyst well ynough that the kynge had ynough for sauynge of hym and of hys reame yf the reame were well & truely gouerned / But that it had bee soo longe euyll gouerned by ylle offycers / that the reame myght nother be plen­teuous of chaffre & marchaundyse ne also with rychesse. And in these thynges they profyred themself yf the Kyng wolde certaynly to preue it and stande by. and yf it were foundē and proued afterwarde that the Kynge had nede they wolde gladly euery man after hys power and state hym helpe and lene. And after this were publysshed & shewed in the parlemente many playntes and defautes of dyuers offycers of y^e reame and namely of the Lorde Latymer the kynges chamberlayne bothe to the Kynge and eke to the reame. ¶And also att the laste there was spoken & treated of dame Alyce Pers for the grete wronges & euyll gouernaunce y^t was done by hyr counseyl in the reame The whiche dame Alyce pers that y^e kyng had holden longe tyme to hys lemman wherfore it was the laste wonder though thrugh the frealter of the wo­mans excytynge & hyr steringe he consented to [Page ciiii] hyr lewdnesse & euyll coūseyl the whiche dame Alyce & also the lorde Latymer & other suche y^e meued the kynge to euyll gouernaunce ayenst his profyte & the reame also / all the comynalte asked & desyred that they sholde be remeued & put awaye and in theyr stedes wyse mē & wor­thy that were trewe & wel assaied & proued and of good gouernaunce. sholde be put in theyr stedes. So amonge al other there was one amonge the comunes that a wyse knyght and a tre­we / and an eloquent man whoos name was Pers delamare. And this same pers was chosen to be speker for the comunes in the parlea­ment And for this same Pers tolde and publysshed the trouthe and rehersed y^e wronges ayenste the forsayd dame Alyce & other certayne persones of the kynges counseyll as he was bydde by the comyns. ¶And also trustynge moche to be supported & mayntened in thys mater by helpe & fauour of the. prynce anone as the prynce was dede att the instaunce & requeste of the forsayd dame Alyce / thys Pers de amare was Iugyd to perpetual pryson in the castell of Notyngham. ¶And in the .vi. kal. of Iule lastyn­ge y^e same parlemente deyed prynce Edwarde kynge Edwardes fyrst sone / that is to saye in trynyte sonday in worshyp of whyche feste he was wōte euery yere where that euer he were ī y^e worlde to holde and made the moost solēpnyte that he myght. whos name & fortune of kny­ghthode but yf it had be of an other Ector alle men bothe crysten & hethen whyle that he liued & was in good poynt wōdred moche and dradde hym wonder soore / whoos body is worshypfully buryed in Crychyrche at Caunterbury. And in this same yere the mē and the erles tenauntes of warwyk arose malycyously ayenst y^e abbot & couent of Euesham & theyr tenauntes. & destroyed thabbaye. & the towne & woūded & bete theyr men & slewe many of theym / & wen­te to theyr maners & places & dyde moche har­me / and brake downe ther parkes & closes & slewe theyr wylde bestes & chaced them brekynge theyr fysshe poundes & hedes & lete the water of theyr pondes stewes & ryuers renne out & toke the fysshe & bare it with them. and dyde theym all the sorowe that they myght. in so ferforthe that forsoth they had destroyed perpetuall that abbay with all theyr membres & apportenaunces but yf the kynge the soner had not holpen it & taken hede therto. & therfore the kyng sent his letters to y^e erle of warwyk chargyng hym & cōmaūdynge hym that he sholde stynt redresse & amende tho euyll doers & brekers of his peas. and so by meanes of lordes & other frendes the peas was made bitwene them. and for this hurtynge as it is sayd y^e kynge wolde not be gouerned as that tyme bi his lordes that there were in y^e parlement. but he toke & made his sone the duke of Lancastre his gouerneur of the reame / the whiche stode soo styll as gouernour tyl y^e tyme that he dyed. ¶The same yere after. cā delmasse or the parlement was done / the Kyn­ge asked a subsidye of the clargy & of the lay fee & it was graūtyd hȳ / that is to say that he shol­de haue of euery persone of y^e lay fee both man and woman that passed fourtene yere of aege foure pēs out takē pore beggers that were knowen openly for nede pore beggers. ¶And that he shold haue of euery man of the holy chyrche that was benefyced or promoted twelue pens and all other that were not promoted iiii. pens out taken the .iiii. ordres of the frere beggers This same yere after Myghelmasse Rychar­de prynce Edwardes sone was made prynce of wales to whom the kyng gaf y^e duchy of cornewayle with y^e erldom of chestre. And about this tyme y^e Cardynale of Englond y^e .iiii. day before mary Mawdalenes day after dyner sodaynly was smyte with the paslye and loste his speche / & on mary Mawdalen [...]s daye deyed.

¶Of y^e dethe of Kynge Edwarde & how syr Iohan Monster warch knyght. was drawē & hanged for his falsnesse.

Ryght anone after in the .lii. yere of Kyn­ge Edward in the begynnynge of Octobre pope Gregorye the .ix. broughte & reme­ued his courte wyth hym from Auy [...]yon to come. ¶And the .xii. daye of Apryl. Iohan Monsterwarthe. Knyght att London was drawen & hangyd & than quartred & sent to four cheyf townes of Englond & his heed smyten of & sete vpon londen brydge / for this same Iohn̄ was full vntrewe to the kynge and to y^e reame & coueytous & vnstable / for he tooke oftymes grete sōmes of money of the kynge & his coūseyll for men of armes wages that he sholde haue paed them & tooke it to his owne vse / & he dradde that att the laste he sholde be shent & accused for the same cause and fled pryuely to the kyng of Fraunce & was sworne to hym & become hys man and behyghte hym a greate nauye out of [Page] Spayne in to confucyon & destroynge of Englonde / But the ryghtfull god to whom no pre­uyte is vnknowen suffred hym fyrst to beshente & spylt or that he so traytoursly and falsly betrayed hys lyege lorde the kynge of Englonde and his peple in hys reame in the whiche groū de this same Iohn̄ was borne & wyckydly thrughe batayll destroyed or he brought about hys cursed purpose. In the feest of Saynt George tho next kynge Edwarde gaaf to Rychard of Burdeux his heyr y^t was prynce Edwardes sone at wyndsore thordre of knughthode & made hym knyght the whyche kyng Edward whan he had regned .li. yere the .xi. kal of Iune he deyde at Shene & is buryed worshypfully at westmyster on whos soule god haue mercy. Thys kynge Edwarde was for soth of a passynge godenes & full gracyous amonge all the worthy men of the worlde for he passed & shone by vertue of grace gauen to hym from god aboue all his predecessours y^t were noble men & worthy and he was a well harted man & an hardy / for he drade neuer no myshappes ne harmes ne e­uyll fortune y^t myght fall a noble warryoure & a fortunate / for both on londe & see & in all ba­tayls & assembles with a passinge glory & Ioy he had the vyctory he was meke & benygne homely sobre & soft to all mē as well to straūgers as to his owne subgettes & to other y^t were vnder his gouenaūce. He was deuoute & holy bo­the to god & hooly chyrche / for he worshypped holpe & mayntened holy chirche & theyr mynystres wyth all maner reuerence / he was treatable & well auysed in temporall & worldly nedes wyse in counseylle & dyscrete & meke to speke with / in his dedes & maners gentyll and well taught / hauynge pyte of them that were in dyseace / plecteuous in geuynge of bene faytes & almoses besy & curyous in bayldynge / & lyghtly he bare & suffred wronges and harmes and whan he was gyuen to ony occupacyon he lefte all other thynge for the tyme & tended ther to semely of body and a meyne stature / hauynge al waye to hyghe & to lowe a good chere. And here spronge and shone so moche grace of hym that what man had beholde hys face or had dremed of hym he roged that daye that all thynge sholde hap to hym Ioyfull and lysynge. And he gouerned hys kyngdome gloryously vnto his aege / he was large in geuynge and wys in spentes / he was fulfylled wyth all his honeste of good maners and vertues / vnder whom to lyue it was as for to regne. wherfore hys fader and his loos spronge so ferre that it came in to hethenes & Barbary shewynge and tellynge his worthynes & manhode in alle londes / and that no londe vnder heuen had brought forthe so noble a kynge soo gentyll and soo blessyd or myght reyse suche an other whan he was dede Neuertheles lechery and meuynge of his fles­she hauntyd hym in his aege / wherfore the rather as it is to suppose for vnmesurable fulfyllynge of his luste his lyfe shorted the soner. ¶And hereof take good hedelyke as his dedys bereth wymesse for as in hys begynnynge alle thynges were Ioyfull & lykynge to hym / and to all people. And in hys myddel aege he passed all people in hyghe Ioye worshyp and blyssydnes. Ryght soo whan he drewe in to aege dra­wynge donwarde thrughe lechery and other synnes lytell and lytell alle tho Ioyfull & bles­syd thynges and prosperite decreasyd and mysshcaped and vnfortunate thinges and vnprofytable harmes with many euyls began for to sprynge and the more harme ys yt contynued longe tyme after.

CLemens the .vi. was pope after Bene­dict .x. yere / thys man in name and dede was vertuous / and many thynges that Benedict was rygous in / he made easy / and certay­ne that he depryued he restored / and the rygou­senes of the fayth of Benedict was laudable [...] But moche more laudable was the mekenesse of Clement. This man was a noble prechour and many sermons he gadred / and lete noo mā passe frome hym but he gaaf hym good coun­seyll / and decessyd a blessyd man. ¶Karolus the .iiii. was Emperour after Lodewyk .xxxi. yere. Chis man was kynge of Beme a wyse man and a myghty. And this man was chosen Emperour by the cōmaundement of Clemens Lodewyk beynge a lyue in his contemacy / and bycause he asked mekely the poopes blessynge and too be crowned of hym as other good kyn­ges dyde. therfore he was protected of god and preueyled ouer all his enmyes. And many fa­uourable lawes he made spyrytuall men / the whiche yet are called Karolma / att the laste he decessed a ryche man in vertue and gooddes· ¶Innocentius the .vi. was pope after Clemē ­te .x. yere / and he was a grete louer of relygous men and he founded a monestery in Fraunce [Page cv] of the ordre of Cartusyens. and was a greate canonyst. ¶Vrbanus the .v. was pope after Innocent. this man was abbot of Myssolens of the ordre of Saynt Benet a doctour and is taken for a saynt. he made the crosse too be pre­ched ayenst the Turkes / and he made a passa­ge to the Turkes / And to hym saynt Brygt was sente frome Cryste for the confyrmacyon of theyr rule and thanne he was poysened and decessyd. ¶Gregory the .ix. was pope after hym .viii. yere This Gregory dyd lytell. And after hym folowed the trybulacyon the whiche our lorde shewed to saynt Brygyt for the syn­ne of the clargye ¶Venselaus sone to Karo­lus a forsayd was Emperoure .xiiii. yere. And he was a chylde and was chosen whan hys fa­der was on lyue / but he tooke no kepe of them pyre / and whan he was warned many tymes for to take hede vnto it and wolde not. He was deposed / For he gaaf all his delyte and luste to lechery / and hys ende was without honour for he wente gretly from the maners and the ver­tues of hys noble fader. And he was crowned with themperyall dyademe. and the wysdome of his fader passed into Sygysmonde his brother as after it shall appyre. ¶Trbanus was pope after Gregory .vi. yere / this Vrban was chosen in the cytee of Rome by the strenth of y^e Romayns but the Cardynals dyde y^t fo. drede & not wyllyngly / Wherfore they fled vnto the Cyte of Foundorū And they sayd y^t he was not pope / & chose in his place syr. Robert of Gebennys the same yere the whiche was called Cle­ment the .vii· ¶Nota. And here began y^e .xii. stryfe in the chyrche. And it was more worse than euer was ony other before / for it was soo subtyll / that y^e wysest mē that were & y^e beste of conscyence coude not deserue wyth whome it was best to saye & to holde. And this stryfe dured xl. yere with a grete sclaunder vnto the clergye and greate peryll vnto mennys soules for heresyes and other euyll thynges the whyche were brought in than. In so moche that there was no doctryne in the chirche for mysdoynge and therfore frome this daye Vrbane the .vi. vnto Martyne I knowe not who was pope. ¶The feest of the vysytacōn of our lady was ordeyned by Vrbane the .vi. after the fourme of the sacramente of the awter for a peas & an vnyte to be had amonge them thrugh the me­rytees of our blessyn lady. ¶Bonefacias the ·ix. was pope after Vrbane .xv yere. ¶This Boneface was chosen at Rome in the stede of Vrbane / & the stryfe contynued For Benedictys was chosen in Auynyon in the place of clement and was call [...]d Petrus de luna & he du­red to the counseyll of Constantinus / & thenne he wolde not obaye but euer abode obstynate. And at the laste he decessed in the Kyngdom of Aragon. And he commaunded his Cardynals to these an other pope the whyche they dyde a­none. And they sete vpon an ydoll and named hym Clement / but they profyted not.

¶How the fyue lorde arosen at Rattecote brydge.

ANd in the regne of kyng Richarde the .xi. yere thenne fyue lordes arosen atte Rattecote brydge in the destruccyon of the re­belles that were y^e tyme in all y^e reame. ¶The fyrste of these fyue lordes was syr Thomas of wodstoke the kynges vncle & duke of Glouce­stre / and the seconde was syr Rycharde erle of Arundell / & the thyrde was syr Rycharde erle of warwyk / the fourth was syr Henry Balynbrok erle of Derby / the fyft was syr Thomas Monbray erle of Notyngham. And these .v. lordes sawe the myschyef and mysgouernaun­ce & the falsnes of the kynges counseyll / wher­fore they that were that time cheyf of the kīges counseyl fled out of his londe ouer see that is to syr say Alysander Neuyll the Archebysshop of yorke / & syr Robert Lewe marqueys of Deuelyne & erle of Oxforde & syr Mychell de la pole Erle of Southfolke and Chaunceler of Englonde. And these thre lordes went ouer see & ca­me neuer ayen for there they deyed. ¶And thā these fyue lordes aboue sayd made a parlemen­te at westmynster & there they toke syr Robert Tresilyam the Iustyce and syr Nycholl Brembre knyght and cytezeyn of Lōdon & syr Iohn̄ Salysbury a knyght of y^e kynges housholde & vske sergeaunt of armes & many moo of other peple were taken and Iuged vnto the deth by the counseyll of these .v. Lordes in that parlemēte at westmester for the treasō that they put vpon theym be drawen from y^e tour of Lon­dō thrugh out the cyte & so fourth vnto Tyburne & there they sholde be hanged & theyr throtes [Page cvii] to be cutte & thus they were serued and deyed. And after th [...] in thys same parlement at westmynster was syr Symonde Beuerle that was a knyghte of the garter & syr Iohn̄ Beauchāp knyght that was stewarde of the kynges hous­holde / & syr Iames Berners werefore Iuged vnto the deth and than they were ledde on fote to the toure hylle & there were there hedes smy­ten of and many other moo by these .v. lordes. ¶In this same parlement and in the .xii. yere of kynge Rychardes regne he lette crye & ordeyne a generall Iustes that is called a turnement of lordes & knyghtes. And this Iustes & turnement were holden at London in smythfelde of all manere of straūgers of what londe or countree that euer they were & thyder they were ry­ghte welcome & to them & too all other was holden opē housholde and grete festes & also grete gyftes were gyuen to all manere of stranges. And of the kynge syde were all of one sute theyr cotes ther armure sheldes hors trappure and all was whyte hertes with cownes abbout theyr neckes and chaynes of gold hangynge thervpō and the crowne hangynge lowe before the hertes body / the whyche herte was the kynges leueraye that he gaafe too Lordes and ladyes knyghtes and squyres for to knowe hys hous­holde frome other people. ¶And in this feest camen to the Iustes .xxiiii. ladyes and ladde. [...] xxiiii. lordes of the garter with chaynes of gold and alle the same sutes of hertes as it is before sayde frome the Toure on horsbacke thrughe the Cytye of London into smytfelde there that the Iustes sholde be holden. ¶And this feeste / and Iustes was holden generalle for al tho that wolde come theder of what londe and nacyon that euer they were. And this was hol­den durynge .xxiiii. dayes of the kynges costes and these .xxiiii. lordes too answere all manere people that wolde come thyd. And theder came the erle of saynt Poule of fraūce & many other worthy knyghtes wyth hym of dyuerse party­es full worthely arayed. And out of Holande & Henaude came the lorde Ostruaūt that was y^e dukes sone of Holande & many other worthy knyghtes with hym of Holand & full well arayed. And whan this feest & Iustynge was ended the kynge thanked this straungers and gaf thē many ryche gyftes. And so they token theyr leue of the kynge and of other lordes & ladyes & went home ayen into theyr owne coūtres with grete loue and moche thanke. ¶And in y^e .xiii. yere of kyng Rychardes regne there was a batayll done in the kynges palays att westmyn­ster bytwene a squyer of Nauerne y^t was wyth kynge Rycharde / & an other squyre y^t was cal­led Iohn̄ walssh for poȳtes of treasō that thys Nauerne put vppon this walsshman. but this Nauerne was ouercomē & yelde hym recreaūt to his aduersary. And anone he was dyspoyled of his armure and drawē oute of the palays to Tyburne and there was hāged for his falsnes And the .xiiii. yere of kynge Rychardes regne syr Iohan of Gaunt duke of Lancastre wente ouer see into Spayne for to chaleng hys ryght that he had by his wyfes tytle vnto the crowne of Spayne with a grete host of people and mē of armes and archers. and he had with hym [...] duchesse hys wyf and hys thre doughters ouer see into Spayne / & ther they were a grete why­le / & att the last the kynge of Spayne began to treate with the duke of Lācastre and they were accorded togyder thrugh theyr bothe counseyll in this maner / that y^e kynge of Spayne sholde wedde the dukes doughter of Lancastre that was the ryght heyre of Spayne and shold gyue vnto y^e duke of Lancastre golde & syluer that were caste into grete wegges and many other Iewels as moche as .viii. charyetes myght ca­rye. And euery yere after duringe the dukes lyf of Lācastre and of the duches his wyf .x. thou­sande marke of golde Of whyche golde the a­uenture & charges sholde be to theym of Spay­ne & yerely bryng vnto Bayon to the dukes assygnes by suerte made. And also the duke ma­ryed an other of hys doughters vnto the kyng of Portyngale the same tyme▪ and whā he had done so he come home ayen into Englonde and hys good lady hys wyf also / but many worthy men deyed vpon the flyx. ¶In the .xv. yere of kynge Rychardꝭ regne he helde his crystmasse in the manere of wodstok and there the erle of Penbroke a yonge lord and tendre of aege wolde lerne to Iuste with a knyghte that was cal­led syr Iohn̄ of saynt Iohn̄ & roden togyder in the parke of wodstoke. and there this worthy erle of Penbroke was slayne with that other knyghtes spere as he caste it from hym whan that they had coupled / & thus the good erle made y^e re his ende / and therfore the kynge & the quene made moche sorowe for his deth. ¶And in the xvi. yere of kynge Rychardes regne Iohan hē de [Page] beyng that tyme mayer of London & Iohn̄ wal worth & Henry vanner beynge shreues of London / that same tyme a bakers man bare a basket of hors brede in to Fletstrete to warde an hostre and there came a yonge man of the bysshop of Salysbury that was called Romayn and he toke a bors lofe out of the basket of y^e bakers / & he asked hym why he dyde soo / and this Romayn torned ayen & brake the bakers heed / And neyghbours came out and wold haue arested thes Romayn & he brake from them & fledde to his lordes place & y^e Constable wol­de haue hym out / but the bysshops men shette fast the yates & kept the place y^t no man myght entre and than moche more people gadred thyder and sayd that they wolde haue hym out or els they wolde brenue vp y^e place and alle that were wyth in / And than came the mayer and shreues wyth moche other people & cessyd the malyce of the comyns & made euery man to go home to there hoses and kepe peas. And thys Romayns lord the bysshop of Salysbury mayster Iohan waltham that at y^e tyme was tresorer of Englonde when syr Thomas Arundell Archebysshop of yorke & Chaunceler of Eng­londe / & there the bysshop made hys complaynte vnto the Chaunceler on the peple of the cyte of Lōdon. And than these two bysshops of grete malyce & vengeaunce come vnto the kynge at wyndesore & made a greate cōplaynt vpon the mayer and shreues. And anone all the cyte after warde came before the kynge & his counseyll / and they caste vnto the Cytye a greuous herte and a wonder grete malyce / And anone sodeynly y^e kyng sent after y^e mayer of Lōdon and for the two shreues / & they came to hym vnto the castell of wyndsore. And the kynge rebuked the mayer and shreues full foule for the offence that they had done ayenst hym & his offycers in hys chambre at London / wherfor he deposed and put out the mayer and bothe shre­ues / and this was done the .xiiii. dayes afore y^e feest of saynt Iohn̄ Baptyst. And than y^e kyn­ge called to hym a knyght that was called syre Edwarde dalyngrygge & made hym wardey­ne & gouernour of the cyte and chambre of Lō don & ouer all hys people ther in. And so he kepte that offyce but foure wekes bycause that he was so gentyl & tendre to the Cytezens of London / wherfore the kynge deposed hym & made syr Bunde wyne radyngton knyght that was Conrtrouller of the kynges houshold wardeyne & gouernour of his chambre of his people ther in / and chose to hym worthy men of the cyte to be shreues wyth hym to gouerne & kepe y^e kynges lawes in the cyte / that one was called Gelbert Mawefelde & that other Thomas ne wenton shreues. And than y^e mayer & the two shreues and all the aldermen wyth all the wor­thy craftes of London wente on foot vnto the toure of London / & there came out the Cones­table of the towre & gaaf the mayer and y^e shreues theyr othe & charge as they sholde haue taken in the Escheker of westmynster in y^e kyn­ges court of his Iustyces & Barons of the Es­cheker & than went they home ayen. And than the kynge & hys counseyll for the grete malyce and despyte y^t they had to the Cyte of London remeued all his courtes from westmynster vnto the Cyte of yorke / y^t is to saye the Chaūceler the Escheker the kynges bynche & the comune place / & there they helde all these courtes of la­we fro mydsomer / that is to saye the feest of saynt Iohn̄ Baptyst vnto the feest of Crystmasse next comynge. And than the kynge and hys counseyll sawe it not so proffytale there. as it was at London / than anone he remeued yt a­yen to Lōdon and soo to westmynster for grete ease of his offycers & a vauntage to the kyng & all the comunes of the reame. ¶And whanne the people of London saw and knewe that these courtes were comē ayen / and the kynge and hys people also / than the mayer and the alder­men with the chyef Comunes of the Cyte ga­ue a grete somme of golde of all the Comunes of the Cyte / and ordeyned & made grete ryaltees ayen hys comynge too London for to haue hys grace good lordshyp and / also theyr lyber­tees and Fraunchyses geaūted vnto them ayē as they were wonte to haue afore tyme. And thrugh grete instaunce and prayer of the quene and of other lordes and ladyes the Kynge graū ted theym grace. And this was done at Shene in Sutherey. And than the Kynge within two dayes after came to London / & the mayer of y^e Cyte with the shreues aldermē and all the wor­thy men of the afterwarde rode ayenst hym in good araye vnto the hethe of hys syde of She­ne the mayer submyttynge theym homely and mekely with all maner obeyssaunce vnto hym as they oughten too do. And thus he brought y^e kynge and the quene to London. And whan y^e [Page cviii] kynge came to the yate of London brydge there they presenttd hym wyth a mylke whyte ste­de sadled and brydled and trapped wyth cloth of golde and reed partyed to gyder. and the quene a palfrey alle whyte in the same ararye trappyd with white andreed / and al the conduytes of London ranne wyth wyne both whyte and reed / for all maner people to drynke who wol­de. And bytwene saynt Poules and the crosse in chepe there was made a stage a ryall stan­dynge vpon hygh and theyn were many angelles with dyuers melodyes & songes. And than an angelle came downe frome the stage on hy­ghe by a vyce and sete a crowne of golde pyght wyth ryche perles & precyous stones vpon the kynges heed and an other vpon the quenes he­ed. And soo the cytezeyns / brought the kyng & the quene to westmynster into theyr palays. And than on the morne after the mayer and y^e shreues and the aldermen of London camen vnto the kynge to hys palays att westmynster and presente hym with two basyns of syluer & ouergylted full of coyned golde the somme of .xx. hoūdred pounde prayenge hym of his hygh mercy & grace and lordshyp and specyally gra­ce that they myght haue his good loue with the lybertees. And fraunchyses lyke wyse as they were wōte for to haue before tymes and by his letters patentes and his chartre confermed. And the quene and other worthy lorde and ladyes fell on ther knees and besoughte the kyn­ge of grace to conferme this. Than the kynge toke vp the quene & graunted hyr all hyr askenge. And than they thanked the kynge & the quene & wente home ayen. ¶And in .xvi· yere of kyng Rychardes regne certayn lordes of scotlonde came into Englond for to gete worshyp as by feet of armes / this were the persones. The erles Marre & he chalēged the erle Mar­shall of Englond to Iuste with hym certayne poyntes on horsbak wyth sharpe speres & they rode togyder as two worthy knyghtes & lordes certayne courses / but not the full chalenge that the Scottes erle made / for he was calle bothe hors and man & two of hys rybbes brokē with that falle and so he was borne thēs out of smy­thfelde home to his Inne. And within a lytyll tyme after he was caryed home in a hors lytter and att yorke he deyed. ¶And syr Waylly­am Darell knyght and the kynges banerer of Scotlonde than made an other chalenge wyth syr Peres courtayne knyght and the kynges banerer of Englonde of certayne courses yet on horsbacke in the same felde / and whan he had ryden certayne cours & assayed he my­ghte not haue the better he gaaf it ouer & wold nomore of his chalenge with syr pers courtayne knyght & the kyngꝭ banerer of Englonde & torned his hors and rode home vnto hys owne Inne. And one Cockeborne a squyre of Scot­londe chalenged syr Nycholl Haberke a kny­ght of certayn courses yet wyth sharpe speres and roden fyue courses togyder and at euery course the Scot was caste downe both hors & man / and thus ouer Englysshe Lordes than­ked be god hadde the felde. ¶And in the .xvii yere of kyng Rychardes regne deyde the good gracyous quene Anne that was wyt to kyng Rycharde in the manere of Shene in the shy­re of Surrey vpon wytsondaye / & than was she broughte to London and soo to westmyn­ster and there was she buryed and worthely entered besyde Saynt Edwardes shryne on whoos sowle almyghty god haue pyte and in hys mercy. Amen.

¶How kynge Rycharde spowsed dame Isabell the kynges doughter of Fraun­ce in the towne of Calays and broughte hyr in to Englond and lette hyr be crowned quene in the abbaye of saynt Peters of westmynstre.

IN the .xx. yere of kynge Rychardes regne he wente hymselfe ouersee vnto Ca­lays wih dukes erles lordes & barons and ma­ny other worthy squyes wyth grete araye and comune people of the reame in good araye as longed to suche a kynge and prynce of hys no­ble & of hys owne persone to do hym reuerence and obseruaūce as oughte to be done to theyr lyege lorde & so myghty a kynge & Emperoure in hys owne to abyde & receyue there that worthy and gracyous Lady that shold be hys wyf a yonge creature of .xix. yere of aege dame Isabell the kynges doughter of Fraūce and other worthy lordes of greate name bothe barons & knyghtes wyth moche other people y^t camen to the towne of Grauenynge & tow dukes of Fraunce that one was the duke of Burgoyn and that other the duke of Barre that wolde no furtherlesse than they hadde pledges. And than kynge Rycharde delyuered two pledges for them for to go sauf and come saufe his two [Page] worthy vncles the duke of Gloucestre and the duke of yorke & these two wente ouer the water of grauenynge & abode there as for pledge to the tyme y^t the maryage was done / and thatꝭ these two dukes of Fraunce were come ayen vnto Grauenynge water. And than two worthy dukes came ouer the water at Grauenynge & so to Calays with this worthypfull Lady Dame Isabell that was the kynges doughter of Fraunce & with hyr came many worthy lorde & eke lady & knyghtes & squyres in the beest araye that myght be & so brought hyr in to the t [...]wne of Calays· And there she was receyued with all the sole mpnyte & worshyp y^t myght be done vnto suche a lady. And that they brought hyr vnto the kynge. And the kynge toke hyr & welcomed hyr and all hyr fayre company and made there all the solempnyte that myghte be done. ¶And than the kynge & his counseyll asked of the Frensshe lordes whether all the co­uenauntes & forwardes wyth the composycy­on that wer ordeyned and made on bothe par­tyes sholde be truely kepte and holde bytwene theym. And they saye ye / and there they swore and toke theyr charge vpon a boke & made theyr othe well & truly it to holde in alle maner of poyntes & couenauntes wythout contradyccyon or delay in ony maner wyse. And than was she brought to saynt Nycholas chyrche in Ca­lays and there she was worthely wedded wyth the moost solempnyte that ony kyng or quene myght be wyth Archebysshops & bysshoppes & all the mynystres of hooly chyrche. And than they were brought too the castell & sette to mete And were serued with all delycasye of ryall metes & drynkes plēteuously to al maner of straū gers & a [...] other & no creature warned that feest. but all were welcome / for there were grete hal­les & tentes set vpon the grene wythout the castell to receyue all manere of people. And euery offyce redy for to serue them all. And thus this worthy maryage was solēply done and ended with all ryalte. And than these two worthy dukes of Fraun [...]e with theyr people token theyr leue of the kynge and of the quene and wente ayen vnto Grauenynge water. And there the Frensshe lordes / that is to saye the twoo dukes and all theyr menye were comen ouer the water to Grauenynge & they mette wyth our two dukes / & euery chone toke leue at other and soo they departed / and our lordes camen ayen vnto calays / and the Frensshe lordes went ouer the water and soo home in to Fraunce ayen. ¶And anone after the kynge made hym redy with the quene & all his lordes and ladyes and all theyr people with theim and came ouer the see in to Englonde & so vnto London. And the mayer and the shreues wyth alle the aldermen and worthy commens roden ayenst them vnto the blacke he the in to Kent / & there they mette with the kynge & the quene and welcomed theym and that in good araye / and euery men in the clothynge of his craft and theyr mynstrels before them. And so they brought theym vnto saynt Georges barre in South warke & there they token theyr leue. And the kynge & the quene rode to Kenyngton & than the peple of Lon­don torned home ayen / And in tornynge ayen to London brydge there was soo greate presse of people bothe on hors and on foot that there were deed on the brydge .xi. persones of men & women and children on whos soules al myghty god haue mercy & pyte. Amen. ¶And than afterwarde the quene was brought to the towre of London / & there she was alle nyght & on the morne she was brought thruge the cyte of London and so forthe vnto westmynster and there she was crowned quene of Englond / & than she was broughte ayen vnto the kynges palays and there was holden open / and ryall feest al hyr coronacyon of all maner peple that [...]heder come / and thys was done the sondaye nexte after the feest of saynt Clemente. in. the .xx. yere of kynge Rychardes regne. And than the .xxv. daye of August / next after by veyll excytacyon and fals counseyll & for grete wrath and malyce that the kyng had of olde tyme vnto his vncle the good duke of Gloucestre and to the erle of Arundell to the erle of warwyk. Anone the kynge by his euuyll excytacyon and his euyll counseyll & malyce late in the euenynge on the same daye aboue sayd made hym re­dy wyth his strenth & rode into Estsex vnto y^e towne of Chemesforde & soo come to Plasshe sodenly there syr Thomas of wodstok y^e good duke of Gloucestre laye / and the good duke came to welcome the kynge anone. And the kynge arested the good duke hymself wyth his ow­ne body / & so he was ladde downe to the wa [...] and anone put into a shype and anone had too Calays & brought in to the Capytayns warde [...]o be kepte in holde by the kynges commaun­dement [Page cix] of Englonde. And y^e tyme therle Marchall was Capytayne of Calays. And anone after by commaundement of the kyng and by his fals counseyl commaunded the capytayne to put hym to deth. ¶And anone certayne yemen that had the good duke in kepynge to­ke theyr counseyl how that they shold put hym vnto deth. And this was theyr appoyntemente that they sholde comen vppon hym whan he were in his bedde and a slepe on a fetheren bedde / and anone they bounde honde and foot and charged hym to lye styll. And whan that they hadde done thus they token twoo smale towel­les and made on theym two rydynge knottes & caste the towelles about hys necke. And than they tooke the fetheren bedde that laye vnder hym & cast it aboute hym & than they drewe theyr to welles eche wayes and some laye vpon y^e fetheren bed vpon hym vnto the tyme that he was dede bycause that he shold make no noys and thus they strangled thys worthy duke vn­to the deth / vppon whos soule god for his hygh pyte haue mercy. Amen. ¶And whan the kyn­ge hadde rested thus this worthy duke and his vncle & sente hym to Calays he came ayen to London in all the haste wyth a wonder greate people. And as soone as he was comen he sent for the erle of Aurundell / and for the good erle of warwyk and anone as they came he arested theym hymself. And syr Iohan Cobham and syr Iohn̄ Chyne knyghtes he arested theym in the same. maner tyll he made his parlement. & anone they were put into holde / but the erle of Arundell went att large vnto the parlement tyme / for he founde soffycyent suerte / to abyde y^e lawe & to answere to all manere poyntes that the kynge & his counseyll wolde put vpon hym ¶And the .xxi [...] yere of kynge Rychardes regne he ordeyned hym a parlement att westmynster the whiche was called the greate parlemente. And this parlement was made for Iuge thys thre worthy lordes and other moo as they lyst at that tyme / And for that Iugement / the kyn­he lete make in all the hast a lōge hous and a large of tȳbre the whiche was called an halle and couered with tyles ouer & it was open all aboute on both sydes that all maner of men myght se thrugh out / and there the dome was holden vpon these forsayd lordes and Iugement gyuē at this forsayde parlemente. And for to come vnto this parlement the kynge sent hys wryttes to euery lorde baron knyght & euery squyre in euery shyre thrugh oute Englōde that euery lorde sholde gadre and bringe his retenue with hym in as shorte & in the beste araye that they myghte gete in maintenynge and in the strengthyng of the kyng ayenst theym that were hys enemyes / and that this were done in all haste & come to hym in payne of deth. And the kynge hymself sent into Chestreshyre to cheyftayns of that countre / & they gadred & brought a grete and an huge company of people bothe of kny­ghtes and squyres and prencypally of yomē of Chestreshyre the whyche yemen and archers the kynge tooke to hys owne courte and gaate them bowge of court and good wages to be kepers of his owne body bothe by nyght and by daye aboue all other persones and moste loued and beste truste / the whyche soone afterwarde torned the kynge to grete losse and shame hyn­drynge and hys vtterly vndoynge and destruccyon as ye shall here afterwarde. And that ty­me came syr Henry of Derby with a grete me­nye of armes and archers / and the erle of Rutlonde came wyth stronge power of people bo­the of men of mares and archers And the Erle of Kente brought a greate power of men of ar­mes and archers. the Erle of Marshall came in the same manere. And the lorde Spenser in this same manere. The erle of Northumber­londe and syr Henry Percy his sone and syre Thomas Percy the erles brother. And all these worthy lordes broughte a fayre menye and a stronge power and eche man in hys beste a­raye. And the duke of Lancastre and the duke of yorke came in the same maner wyth men of armes and archers folowynge the kynge. And syr Wyllyam strop tresourer of Englond came in the same manere. And thus in thys a­raye came all the worthy men of this londe vn­to our kynge and these peple came to London in one daye / in so moche that euery strete and lane in London and in the subarbes were full of them lodged and .x. or .xii. mylle about Lon­don on euery waye. And these people brought the kynge too westmynster and wente home a­yen to theyr lodgynge bothe hors and mā / and than on the mondaye the .xii. daye of Septembre the parlemente began att westmynster the whiche was called the grete parlemēt. ¶And on the frydaye nexte after the erle of Arundell was broughte in to the parleamente amonge [Page] all the lordes / and that was on saynte Mathe­was daye the appostle and euangelyst / there he was for Iuged vnto the dethe in thys halle that was made in the palays at westmynster / And this was his Iugemente / he sholde go on foot wyth hys hondes bounde behynde hym frome the place that he was Iuged in. And so forth thrugh the cyte of London vnto the toure hylle and hys heed to be smyten of and so it was done in dede in the same place .vi. of the grettest lordes that sate on his Iugemente ro­den wyth hym vnto y^e place there he was done to dethe / and so to se that the excucyon were done after the dome. And by the kynges cōmaundemente / wyth them wente on foot men of armes and archers a grete multytude of Chestreshyre men in strenthynge of the lordes y^t brou­ghte thys erle to hys dethe / for they dredde leste terle sholde be rescowed and taken from them whan they come in to London. Thus he pas­sed forthe the Cytye vnto his dethe. And there he tooke it full pacyenly / on whoos soule god haue mercy / Amen. ¶And than come the fre­re. Austyns and tooke vp the body and the he­de of this good Erle and bare it home to theyr place and buryed hym in theyr quyre. And in the morne after was syr Rycharde erle of warwyk brought in to the parlemente there as the erle of Arundell was for / Iuged / and they gaf the erle of warwyk the same Iugement that y^e for sayd erle had / but the lordes had compassy­on of hym by cause he was of more getoer age and released hym in to perpetuall pryson / and put hym in to the ylonde of Man. And thenne on the mondaye nexte after / the lord Iohanne Cobham of Kent / & syr Iohan Cheyn knygh­tes were also brought in to the same parlemente in the same halle / and there they were for Iuged for to be hanged and drawen / but thrugh the prayers and grete Instaunce of all the lor­des that Iugement was foryeuen to them and released in to perpetuall pryson. ¶And in this same yere was Rycharde wyttyngdon mayer of London / and Iohan wodecoke & wyllyam Askam shreues of London. ¶And they ordeyned at euery yate of London durynge thys sa­me parlemēt stronge wache of men of armes and archers and thrughout euery warde also And the kynge made .v. dukes & one markeys and foure erles / and the fyrst of them was the erle of Derby & he was made duke of Herforde And the seconde also was the erle of Rutlonde and he was made duke of Awemarle. And the therde was the erle of Kent & he was made du­ke of Surre. And the fourth was y^e erle of Hū ­tyngdon and he was made duke of Excestre / And the fyft was the erle of Notyngham & he was made duke of Northfolke. And the erle of Somerset he was made markeys of Dorseet· And y^e lorde Spenser was made Erle of Gloucestre / And the lorde Leuyll of Raby was ma­de erle of westmer londe And syr Thomas percy was made erle of worcestre. And syr wylly­am scrope that was tresourer of Englōd was made erle of wylteshyre· And syr Iohn̄ Mon­tagu erle of Salysbury. And whan the kynge had thus done he helde the parlemet and ryall feest vnto all his lordes and to all maner peo­ple that thyder wolde come. ¶And this same yere deyed syr Iohn̄ of Gaūt the kynges vncle and duke of Lancastre in the bysshops Inne in Holborne. and was brought fro thens to saynt Poule & there the kynge made & helde hys enterement well and worthely with all his lordes in the chyche of saynt Poule in London / and there he was buryed besyde dame B [...]unce his wyf y^t was doughter & heyre vnto y^e good Henry that was duke of Lancastre. In y^e same yere there fell a dyscencyon bytwne the duke of Herforde & y^e duke of Norfolk in so moshe that they waged batayl & castē downe theyr gloues & than they were take vp & ensealed & y^e batayll Ioyned & y^e daye set & y^e place assygned where & whan & this sholde be at Couentre. ¶And thy­der come y^e kynge with all his lordes att y^t daye & was sette in y^e felde & than these two worthy lordes came into y^e felde well and clene armed & well arayed with al theyr wepen & redy to done theyr batayll and were redy in y^e place for to fyght at vtteraunce But y^e kynge bad thē cesse & toke the quarel in to his hond And forth with ryght there present exyled the duke of Herford for terme of .x. yere and the duke of Northfolke for euermore. And syr Thomas of Arundell Archebysshop of Caunterbury was exyled the same tyme for euer & deposed out of hys see for malyce of the kyng / & anone these thre worthy lordes were cōmaunded & defended the kyngꝭ reame. And anone they gate theym shyppes at dyuerse hauēs and wente ouer see into dyuerse londes eche his waye. And y^e duke of Northfolke wente to Venece & there he deyed on whos [Page cx] soule god hauē mercy. Amen. ¶And than kynge rychard made a clerke of his syr Roger walden Archebysshop of Caunterbury. ¶And in the .xxii. yere of kyng Rycharbes regne by fals coūseyll ymagynacyon of coueytous men that were about hym were made & ordeyned blan­ke chertres and made theym to be enseled of all maner ryche men thrughout the reame. In so moche that they cōpelled dyuerse people to set­te theyr seases therto· ¶And thys was done for grete couetyse wherfore all good hertes of the reame were clene torned away fro the kyn­ge for euer after. And that was vtterly his dys­truccyon & ende to hym that was so hygh and so excellente prince and kynge & thrugh couetous & fals counseyll falsly betrayed. Alas for pyte that suche a kyng myght not se. ¶And than kynge Rycharde sette his kyngdome & hys ry­all londe of Englonde to ferme vnto foure persones / the whiche were these. Syre wyllyam strop erle of wyltshyre and tresourer of Eng­londe / and syr Iohan Busshe / & Henry greue / and syr Iohan Bagot knyghtes that whiche / torned theym to myscheyf and dethe wythin a lytell tyme as ye shalle fynde here afterwarde wryten. ¶And than kynge Rycharde made grete ordynaunce & wente hymselfe ouer see in to Irlond & many grete lordes with hym wyth a grete hoste for to strenth theyr kyng wyth mē of armes archers & moche grete stuffe & ryght good ordynaunce as longed vnto warre. And or he passed ouer see he ordeyned & made syr Edmōde of Langley his vncle the duke of yorke / hys lyueteaunte of Englonde in hys absence with the gouernaūce & counseyll of these foure knyghtes that had taken Englond to ferme of the kynge. And than he passed the see and ca­me into Irlonde and there he was wel and worthely receyued. And these rebelles that ben cal­led wylde Irysshmen came downe to the kyn­ge and yolde them to hym both body & goodes all at his owne wyll / and swore vnto hym to be his lyege men / and there dyde to hym homage and feaute and good seruyse & thus he conque­red the moost parte of Irlonde in alytyll tyme ¶And whyle that kynge Rycharde was thus in Irlonde / syr Henry of Bolyngbroke erle of Derby that the kyng had made before duke of Herforde / the whyche duke the kynge had exy­led out of this londe was comen ayen into Enlonde for to chalenge the dukedome of Lancaster as for his ryght & trew herytage / & he came downe out of Fraunce by londe vnto Calays And thē met hym syr Thomas of Arūdell that was Archebysshop of Caunterbury that was exyled out of Englōde. and with hym came the erle of Arūdell his sone & heyre the whiche was in kepyng of syr Iohn̄ shelly knyght somtyme with the erle of Hūtindon and with the duke of Excestre the whyche was tho in the castell of Reygate in Soutsex / and there he stale hym a waye and came to Calays and there he was keped well & worthely tyll these other two lordes were comen / to Calays. ¶And than this wor­thy duke & syr Thomas of Arundell Archebysshop of Caunterbury shypped in the hauen of Calais and drewe theyr cours norwarde and aryued in yorke shyre at Rauensporne faste by wydlyngton / and there came and en [...]red fyrste the londe and two lordes with hym and theyr nauye. And so than moche people of the reame that whan they herde of his comynge and knewen where that he was and anone they dre­wen vnto hym and welcomed these lordes and soo gaaf theym courage in all manere thynge and so passed forthe into the londe and gadred moche people to them. ¶And whan kyng Ry­charde hede and wyste that these twoo lordes were comen ayen in to Englond & also were lō ded / Than the kynge lefte his ordynaunce in Irlonde and come into Englond warde in all the haste that he myght and come the castell of Flynte and there he abode to take his counseyl and what myghte he done. But to hym come none. And thanne syr Thomas Percy erle of worchestre that was the kynges stewarde wist and knewe all this / anone he came into the halle amonges all the people / & he brake the yerde of the ryall kynges housholde / and anone eue­ry man was dysparple and wente hys waye & forsoke theyr mayster and souerayne lord and lefte hym allone. And thus Kynge Rycharde broughte downe & destroyed and stode hymself allone wythout comforth or socoure or yf ony good counseyll of ony mā / alas for pyte of this ryall kynge. And anone came worde that syre Henry of Bolyngbroke was vp with a stron­ge powre of people and that all the squyres of Englonde reyson vp the shyres in strenthyn­ge of hym ayenst kyng Rycharde. ¶And thus sone he was come out of the North countre to Brystowe and there he met with syr wyllyam [Page] S [...]rope erle of wyltshyre & tresourer of Eng­londe & with syr Iohn̄ Busshe and syr Henry grene and Iohn̄ Bagot but he escaped frome theym and wente ouer see in to Irlonde / & the sethre knyghtes were taken & theyr hedes smytē of & thus they dyed theyr for fals couetoyse. ¶And than was kynge Rycharde taken and brought vnto y^e duke / and anone the duke put hym in fast warde and stronge holde vnto hys cominge to London. And than was there a rumore in London and a stronge noyse that kynge Rycharde came to westmynster / and the peple of London ranne thyder and wolde haue done moche harme and hurte in there wood­nesse had not the myyer and the alder men and other worthy mē cessed them wt fayr wordes and torned theym home agayne vnto Lōdon And there was Syr Iohan Slacke dene of y^e kynges chapell of westmynster taken & brou­ghte to London / and put in pryson in Ludga­te. And Iohan Bagot was taken in Irlonde and so brought to London and put in pryson in Newgate there to be kepte and abyde hys answere. ¶And soone after the duke brought kynge Rycharde pryuely vnto London and put hym in the toure vnder sure kepynge as a prysoner. And than came the lordes of the reame with all theyr counseyll vnto the Toure to kynge Rycharde and sayd to hym of his mys­gouernaun [...]e and extorcyon that he hadde done made and ordeyned to opresse all the comy­ne peple and also to all the reame. wherfore all the comyne people of the reame wolde hym haue deposed of all his kyngdom· And so he was deposed at that tyme in the Toure of London by all his lordes counseyll and comune assent of alle the reame / And than he was put frome the Toure vnto the castell of Ledes in Kente & ther he was kepte a whyle And thanne he was had frome thens vnto the castell of Pounfret in the North countree to be kepte in pryson / & ryght soone after there made his ende. ¶And than whan kinge Rycharde was deposed and had resygned his crowne and his kyngdom & was kept fast in holde / than all the lordes of y^e reame with y^e comyns assent & by accorde chosen this worthy lord syr Henry of Bolyngbroke erle of Derby duk of Herforde & duke of Lā castre by ryght lyne herytage & for hys ryghtfull manhode that the people foūde in hym be­fore alle other they chose hym and made hym kynge of Englande amōnges theym.

INnocencyus the .vii. was chosen at rome and lyued but two yere & than Gre­gory .xii. was after hym .xii. and euer was de­bate. Than was Alexander chosen in the coū seyll of Pysan and he was called fyrste Petrꝰ de Candyda and so was put stryf to stryf eue­rychone of those thre sayd he was pope. Than was there a counseyl at Pysan where they began to make a cūcorde and there they deposed the two and thyrde stode and so was worse de­uysyon made than before. For that they ordeyned preuayled not. ¶Robert was Emperour after wenselaus .i [...]. yere / thys man was duke of Bauary and Erle of Palatyn a Iuste man and a good / and was crowned of Bone face the .ix. This man entrde ytaly wyth a greate hoost of. Almayns ayenste Iohan the duke of Galyas / but with an heuy hoowe he torned ayen and was had de worthy to suffre for his ry­ghtwysnes. ¶Iohan the .xxiii. succeded Alex­ander .iiii. yere and fyrste he began well for an vnyte / and he was in the counseylle a [...]te Constantis and offred hym to resygne the popehode. and after secretly and worthely he feldde a­waye but it profyted hym notte for he was ta­ken and constreyned to peas and was made a Cardynall and buryed atte Florens. ¶Sygysmundus was Emperoure after Roberte .xxvii. yere / and he was sone too Karolus and kynge of Vngarye and moost crysten prynce. And was soo deuoute to god that he deserued to be canonysed. This man holpe the chyrche thrughe hys merueylous prudence and wytte / for he spared no laboure ne no thyynge that he hadde tyll he hadde made a ful peas amonge y^e clergy. ¶And he hadde .ix. Batayls ayenst the Turke. And euer he had the vyctorye / and what more alle thynge that euer was wrytē in louynge to Constantyne Theodosio Karolo Otto maye truely be wryten of hym. And he was crowned in Vngarye and decessed a bles­sed man.

¶How the kynge of Englond was made enheyrytoure and regente of Fraūce and how he wedded quene Katheryne.

ANd anone after that Rone was goten Depe and manye other townes in the basse Normandye gaf them ouer without stroke or syege whan they vnderstode that the kyn­ge had goten Rone Also this yere had be a peas made & sworne bytwene the duke of Bugoyne and the Dolphyn whiche were sworne on goddes body that they sholde loue and assysse eche other ayenst theyr enemyes. And after this contrary to this othe duke Iohn̄ of burgoyne was slayne and pyteously murdred in the presence of the Dolphyn wherfore the Frensshmen were gretly deuydeb & of very necessyte laboured to haue a treatye wyth the kynge of Englonde. for the kynge of Englonde wanne dayely of them townes castels▪ & fortresses. ¶Also thys same yere was quene Iane arested & brought vnto the castell of Ledes in Kent. And one [...]rere Radulfe a doctour of dyuynyte confessour whyche afterwarde was slayne by the persoone of the Toure fallynge at wordes and debate. And after warde quene Iane was delyuered. ¶And in the .vii. yere both the kynge of fraū ­ce and of Englonde were accorded and kynge Henry was made heyre and regent of Fraun­ce and wedded dame Katheryne the doughter of / fraunce at Troyes in Champayne▪ on trynyte sondaye. And this was made by the menne of Phylyp newe made duke of Burgoyne whiche was sworne to kynge Henry to auen­ge hys faders deth and was become Englyssh. ¶And thanne the kynge wyth hys newe wyfe wente to Parys where as he was ryall [...] receyued. And from thens he wente wyth his lordes And the duke of bourgoyn. and many other lordes of / fraunce and layd syege to dyuerse tow­nes & castels that helde of the Dolphyns par­tye and wanne them but the towne of Milon helde longe tyme for therin were good defen­ders. In the .viii. yere the kyng and the quene came ouer see and londed on Landelmasse daye on the morne att Douer. And the .xiiii. daye of / feuerer the kynge came to London. And y^e xxi daye of the same monthe the quene came. And the .xxiiii. of the same she was crowned at westmynster. ¶Also that same yere anone [Page] after Ester the kyng helde a palement at west­mynster / at whiche parlemente it was ordey­ned that that golde in Englysshe coyn sholde be weyed & none receyued but by weyght. [...]nd anone after wytsontyde the kynge saylled to Calays and passed forth so in to Fraūce. And in the .xxii. daye of Marche before the kyng came ouer the duke of Clarence was slayne in Fraunce and dyuerse other lordes taken prysoners as the erle of Huntyngdon the erle of Somerset with dyuerse other / and all was bycause they wold not taken none archers with them but thoughte to haue ouercome the Frensshe­men themself without archers. And yet whan he was slayne the archers came & rescowed y^e body of the duke whiche they wolde haue caryed with them / god haue mercye on his soule he was a valyaunte man. And the same yere by­twene Crystmasse and cādelmasse the towne of Mylon was yolden vnto the kynge. ¶In the .ii. yere on saynt Nycholas daye in Decembre was borne Henry the kynges fyrste bego­ten sone at wyndesore / whos god faders at the font stone was syr Henry bysshop of wynchestre and Iohn̄ duke of Bedford and the duchesse of Holonde was godmoder / and Henry chychelay Archebysshop of Caūterbury was god fader at confermynge. ¶And in the .x. yere y^e Cyte of Mews in Bry was goten whiche had ben longe besyeged And this same yere the quene shypped at Hampon and sayled ouer to the kynge in Fraunce where she was worshypfully receyued of the kynge / and also of the kyng of Fraynce hyr fader and of hyr moder. And thus kynge Henry wanne faste Fraunce and helde grete astate and sate at a greate feest in Parys crowned & y^e quene also whiche hadde not been seen before / and alle people resorted vnto his courte / but as to the kynge of Fraunce he helde none astate ne rule but was lefte almoost allone. ¶Also this yere the weder toke was sete vpon Poules steple at London. And this yere in the monethe of August the kynge waxed seke at Boys devyncynt / and whan he sawe he sholde deye he made hys testamēt & or­deyned many noble thynges for hys soule and deuoutly receyued all the ryghtes of holy chyrche / in soo ferre for they that whanne he was anoynted he sayde the seruyse with the preest / & at y^e verse of the spalme of Miserere mei deus that was Benigne fac dn̄e in bona voluntate tuasyon / vt edificentur mury Iherusalem / he badde tarye there and sayd thus O good lorde thou knowest that myn entente hathe ben and yet is yf I myght lyue to redyfye the walles of Iherusalem. And thanne the preest proceded forth and made anende. And anone after thys mooste noble prynce and dyctoryous kynge floure in hys tyme of crysten chyualrye. who­me all the worlde doubted gaaf hys soule in to the handes of god and deyed and made an en / de of his naturall lyfe att the for sayde Boys / de vyncent besyde Parys y^e .xxxvi. yere of hys aege / vppon whoos sowle god haue mercy. Amen. ¶Than was the body enbamed and cyred and layd in a ryall chare and an ymage lyke to hym was layde vpvon the corps open wyth dyuerse baners and horses couered ry­chely with the armes of Englonde and Fraunce / and also the olde armes of saynt Edwarde saynt Edmonde and other with grete multy­tude of torches / with whome wente the kynge of Scotlonde and many other lordes whyche accompanyed the body tyll it came vnto westmynster by London in Englonde and euery towne by the waye he had solempnely his dyryge on the euē and masse on the morne and mo­che almes was gyuen to poore peple by y^e waye And the .vii. daye of Nouembre after y^e corps was brought / thrugh London wyth grete re­uerēce & solempnyte to westmynster where as he nowe lyeth / it was worshypfully buryed / & after was layd on his tombe a ryal ymage lyke hȳself of syluer and gylde which was made att the cost of quene Katheryne. And thus ended and is entered and buryed the noble kyng Hē ry y^e fyfth / vpon whoos soule and al crystē soules god haue mercy Amē.

¶Of y^e lawe of kynge Hēry y^e fyfth and what he ordeyned for kyng Rycharde & for hymself after his dethe.

HEre is to be noted that this kynge Hen­ry the fyfth was a noble prynce after he was kynge and crowned how it before in hys yo [...]gth he had be wylde recheles & spared noo thynge of hys lust ne desyres but accōplesshed them after his lykyng / but as soone as he was crowned enoynted & sacred anone sodaynly he was chaunged into a newe man & set all his entent to lyue vertuously in mayntenynge of ho­ly chyrche / destroyenge of heretykes / kepynge Iustyce & defendynge of his reame & subgettes [Page cxix] ¶And for as moche as hys fader had deposed by hys labour the good kyng Rycharde & pyteously made hym to deye / & for the offence done to hym ayenst his legaunce he had sent to rome for to be assoyled therof For whiche offēce our holy fader y^e pope enyoyned hym to make hym to be prayed for perpetually. and lyke as he had done to be takē from hym his naturall lyf therfore he shold do fyside four tapers to brēne per­petually about his body that for the extynccōn of his bodely lyf his soule may euer be remem­bred and lyf in heuē in spyrytual lyfe. And also that he sholde euery weke on y^e daye as come a­aboute of hys deth haue a solempne masse of requiē & on y^e euē afore dyryge wyth .ix. lessons & a doole to poore peple alwaye on that daye of a xi. shellynges & .vii. pens to be deled peny mele / and ones in the yere at his annyuersary his termēte to be holden in y^e most honest wyse / & [...] bedeled y^e daye .xx. poūde in pens to poore people And to euery monke .xx. shellynge whyche alle these thynhes performed thys noble kynge for his fader for kyng Henry the fourth / his fader performed it not durynge hys lyf of whome as it is sayd that god dyd touche hym & was lepreor that he deyed. ¶And also thys noble prynce lette do calle all y^e abbottes & pryours of saynte Benets order in Englond & had all them into the chapytre hous of westmynster for the reformacyon of theyr order wherin he had comunycacyon / and also wyth bysshops and mē of the spyrytualte / in so ferre forth that they doubted sore as that he wold haue had the temporaltes out of theyr hondes / wherfore by the aduyse la­bours and procurynge of the spyrytuallyte en­couraged the kyng for to chalenge Norman­dye and his ryght in Fraunce / to that entente to set hym a warke there that he shold not seke none occasyons for to entre into suche maters And than all his lyf tyme afterwarde he labou­red & was besy in the warre & in conquerynge a grete parte of the reame of / fraunce. and so afterwarde y^t by the grement of the Kynge Charles he had the gouernaunce & the rule of the reame of / fraunce and he was proclamed regnet & heyre of / fraunce. ¶And so notwithstandynge for alle this grete warre that he had / neuerthe­les yet he remēbred his soule & also thought that he was mortall & nedes must deye / for whyche cause he ordeyned by hys lyfe tyme the place of his sepulture where as he is buryed / and hath euery daye thre masses perpetually songen in a chapell our his sepultur of the whiche y^e myddyll masse & the fyrste and the laste masse shall be as it is assygned by hym as it apperyeth by these verses folowynge.

¶And yet the noble Kynge Henry the fyfte founded twoo houses of relygyon on is called Syon besyde Braynforde of y^e ordre of Saynt Brygf [...]te both of mē and women and on that other syde of the Ryuer Tamyse an hows of monkes of Chartrehous / in whyche twoo places he is contynually prayed for nyght & daye / For euer whan they of Syon resten than they of the Chaptre hous do theyr seruyce & in lyke wyse whan they of the Chartre hous resten the other gooth to / & by ryngynge of the belles of eyther place eche knoweth whan they haue en­ded theyr seruyte whyche be nobly endowed / & do dayly there grete almes dedes / as in Char­ter hous certayne chyldren be founde to scole. & at Syon certayn almes geuen dayly. And yet besyde all thys he founde a recluse the whyche shall be alway a preest to praye for hym by the sayd Chartre hous whyche preest is suffycyently endowed for hym & a seruaunt Lo here may all prynces take ensample by thys noble pryn­ce that regned so lytyll tyme not fully .x. yere & [Page] dyde so many noble actes as well for his soule to be perpetually remembred & prayed for / as in his conquestes & he beynge in his moste lusty aege dysposyd to eschewe synne & was a grete Iusticer [...] in so moche y^t all the prynces of crystendome dradde hym & also of hethenes / & he had determyned in hymself yf god wolde haue spared hym to haue warred on the Sarasyns & for to knowe the ayde of other prynces & alle the passages in y^e Iourneye he sente a knyght of Henaude named Hugh de lanoye vnto Iherusalem / but or he retorned he deyed at Boys de vencence in the .xxxvi. yere of hys aege. on whos soule god haue mercy Amen.

FElyx the .v. was pope whā Eugenyus was deposed .ix. yere. This man Felyx was duke of Sauoyen deuonte prince an olde man. and he saw his ckyldes chylde This mā whan he lyued a holy lyf was chosen pope of the counsell of Basyle. and eugeny was deposed. and there was stryfe longe tyme. And he had no grete obediēce for the deposycyō of eu­genye: And at the laste Eugenye decessed. and than felyx [...]esygned to Nycholas for fauoure of puas to be had & he was made legate of Fraunce & Cardynal of Sabyanus This was the xxiii. stryfe bytwyxt Eugeny and felyx & it dured .xvi· yere and thys was a new cause & ne­uer seen before for the counseill of Basyle deposed Eugeny they vere pope and there was noo mo for he obeyed not the decrees of the coūseyl of Constantinople as they sayd ne he charged not to obeye the counsyel of basyle: but he sayde rather the countrary sholde be done than as they decreed. wherfore there arose a grete alteracyon in y^e mater / for some sayde one waye & some an other & coude not accorde to thys daye for that one partye sayde that coū [...]eyll was a­boue the pope. & an other partye sayde the contrary y^e the pope was about the coūseyll. But they lefte it vndetermyned. And therfore god muste dyspose for the best. ¶Albert was Em­perour after Syghysmonde one yere. thys Al­bert was the duke of Austre & neuewe to Sy­gysmonde / and therfore he was kynge of Be­me and of Vngray for hys doughter for other heyre he left none. This man was chosen Emperour of almayne but anon he was poysened and dyed / and he was in althynge a vertuous man y^t all men sayd he was a presydent to alle kynges. ¶Fredericus the thyrde was Emperoure after hym. this Frederyk was the duke of Osteryk & chosen Emperoure of Almayne but it was longe or he was crowned of the po­pe for deuysyon. And at the last there was ma­de an vnyte / & he was crowned with a greate honour of the pope in y^e cyte & was a peasyble man & a quyete & of a synguler pyte & he hated not the clergye (he wedded the kynges dough­ter of Portyngale / & in hys tyme whyles that heregned he made a grete cūuocacion of prynces in Ratyspona for the Incours of the Turkes / & shewed vnto them y^t nowe within this ·xx. yere crystendom was made lasse by two hū dred myle. and he warned theym y^t they sholde be redy to resyst hym. ¶And the Imperyal cy­te of Constantynople was take at y^e same tyme of the mysbyleuynge Turkes & betrayed by a Ianuēs whom for his labour the Turke made a kynge as he promysed hym. and the four­the daye he called hym to hym and dyde hange hym for his dysceyte to his master. And there was greate sorowe and wepynge amonge the crysten people for losse of y^e noble Cyte / formany a Crysten man was slayne & innumer able were solde: and the emperour was slayne & for enuye the Turke caused his heed to be smyten of whan he was deed· And almoost all the faythe in y^e londe of Greke fayled. ¶Nycholaus the .v. a Ianueus was pohe after Felyx .viii. yere. This Nycholas was chosen at Rome in the place of Eugenye· and yet the stryfe hen gestyll / by a lytyll and a lytyll they obeyed hym & all men merueyled that a man of so poore a nacyon sholde obteyne ayenst the duke of Sa­uoy the whyche was cosyn and alyed all moost to alle the prynces of crystendoome and euery­chone lefte hym. Than in the yere after there was a peas made / felyx resygned for yt pleased our lorde hys name to be gloryfyed by an obiecte of the worlde as that Ianuens was in com­paryson of the duke the pope. This Nycholas was a mayster indiuynyte and an actyue man & a ryche man in conseytes & many thynges y^t were fallē he buyldyd ayen / and al y^e walles of Rome he renewed for dred of the Turke And there was a verse made of this vnyte & publys­shed in the cyte. ¶Lux fulsit mūdo: cessit felix Nychalao. And that in y^e yere of our lord. M CCCC.xlix. The yere of grace with a grete de­uocyon was confermed and Innumerable peple went to the appostels setes.

¶How kynge Henry the syxt regned beyn­ge a chylde not one yere of aege / and of y^e ba­tayll of Vernayll in Perche.

AFter kynge Henry the fyfth regned Hē ry hys sone but a chylde & not fully one yere of aege. whos regnne began the fyrst daye of Septēbre in y^e yere of our lord .M.CCCC.xxii. This kynge beynge in his cradell was moche doubted / and drade bycause of the gret conquest of his fader & also the wysdom & guydynge of his vncles the duke of Bedford and y^e duke of Gloucestre. ¶This yere the .xxi. daye of Octobre deyed Charles the kynge of Fraunce & lyeth buryed att saynt Denys. And than the duke of Bedford was made regne of Fraunce & the duke of Gloucestre was made protectour & defēdour of Englōde. ¶And the fyrste daye of Marche after was syr wyllyam Tayloure preest degarded of hys preesthode & on the morne after he was brent in smythfeld for heresye. ¶This yere syr Iames Stewarde kynge of Scottes maryed dame Iane the duchesse doughter of clarence the whyche she had by hyr fyrste husbonde y^e erle of Somerset at saynt Mary ouerys ¶Also this yere the xxvii. day of August was the bataylle in Perche bytwene the duke of Bedforde regne of fraunce and the duke of Aloūsome whiche was a ful grete batayll The duke of bedforde had on hys syde the elre of salysbury moūtagu and the lorde talbot and all the power that they coude make in Normā ­dye and the garnysons kepe & also many Capytayns wyth moche people of the duke of Bur­goyns. And on that other syde was the duke of Ilaunsome. The duke of Turon that was the erle of Doughan and the erle Boughan with many lordes of fraūce and a grete company of Scottes and Armynaxys. And than the erle / Douglas called the duke of Bedforde in scor­ne Iohan with the leden swerde. And he sente hym worde ayen y^t he sholde fynde y^e daye that his swerde was of stele. And the batay [...]le Ioyned on bothe sydes faught and lōge tyme [...] that. there wyst no mā whoo sholde haue the better a grete whyle / but att the last as god wolde the vyctory felle vnto the Englysshe partye. For there where slayn the erle Douglas whiche alytell before wasse made duke of Turon the erle. Boughan the erle Almemere the erle of Tonu at the erle of Vaūtedor & the vyscounte of Nerbon whyche was one of them y^t slewe the duke Iohan of Burgoyne knelynge before the Dolphyn & many moo vnto the nombre of .x. thousande & mo And there was takē presoners and duke of Alaūsome and many other lordes and gentylles of / fraunce. But Scottes that daye were slayne downe ryght the substaunce of thē all. ¶And the thyrde yere of kynge Henry the syxt the duke of Gloucestre maryed the duchesse of Hollāde and wēt ouer see with hyr into henaude for to take possessyon of hys wyue enhe­rytaūce where he was honerably receyued and taken for lorde of that londe but soone after he was fayne to retorne home ayen into Englonde. and lete hys wyf and all his tresoure that he had brought with hym in a towne y^t is callyd Mounle in Henaude whyche promysed hym to be true to hym. Notwithstandynge they delyuered the lady to the duke of Burgoyne whiche sent hyr to Gaunt. And from thens she escapyd in a mannys clothynge and came into zelande to a towne of hyr owne callyd Syryer And from thens she went to a towne in Hollonde called y^e Gowde and there she was stronge ynoughe & withstode the forsayd duke of Burgoyne. ¶And soone after the duke of Gloucestree sente ouer see in too zelonde the Lorde Fytzwater wyth certayne men of armes and archers for to helpe and socoure the forsayde duchesse of Hollande whyche londed att a pla­ce in zeelande called. Brewers hauen where the lordes of the coūtree came downe▪ and tau­ghte wyth hym / in conclusyon he was feyne to wythdraw hym and hys menye to the see ayen But yet he slewe and kylde & hutte dyuerse lor­des & moche peple of y^e same coūtre / & retorned home ayen into Englōde wyth his meny & pre­uayled noo thynge. ¶And also thys same ye [...]e the erle of Salysbury / the erle of Souffolk [...] the lorde wylle by and the lord Scales with their retenue layd syege to the cyte of Manus the whiche cyte was yolde to theym wyth many other strong townes & castels to y^e nombre of .xxxvi. ¶This tyme all Normandye and a grete parte of / [...]raunce vnto Orlyaunce was vnder the obeysaunce of the Kynge of Englonde / and all the remenaunte of / fraunce was in grete tribulacyon and myschyef.

¶How thre was lyke to haue be a gret fraye bytwene the Cardynall and the duke of Gloucestre. And of the coronacyon of Kynge Henry the syxte both in Englonde and in / fraunce.

[Page]IN the fourth yere the same nyghte that the mayer of London Iohan Couentre had taken his charge / was a greate watche in London for a fraye y^t was bytwene y^e bysshop of wynchestre. & the duke of Gloucestre protectour &c̄. For the mayer wyth the peple of y^e cyte wold abyde by y^e duke of Gloucestre as protectour & defendour of the reame but by laboure of lordes that went bytwene / and in especyall by the labour of the prynce of Portyngale / there was a poyntement taken that there was no harme done. ¶And after y^e batayll of Vernayll in Perche the duke of Bedforde came o­uer in to Englonde. And on wytsondaye thys same yere at Leycestre he dubbed kynge Hen­ry knyght. And forth with the sayd kyng Hen­ry dubbed all these / knyghtes whos names of lowen / that is to wyte syre Rycharde duke of yorke / also the sonne and heyre of the Duke of Nurthfolk / the erle of Oxforde / y^e erle of west merlonde / the sone and heyre / of y^e erle of Northumberlond / the sone and heyre of the erle of Vrmonde / the lorde Roos / syr Iamys bottelar the lorde Martrauas / syr Henry gray of Tankeruyle syr wyllyam Neuyll / lorde Fawcon­brydge / syr George Neuyll lord Latymer the lorde wellys / the lorde Barkle / the sone. & hey­re of the lorde Talbot / syr Raufe gray of wer­ke / syr Robert veer syr Rychard gray / syr Ed­monde hongerforde syre Iohan bottelar / syre Raynolde Cobham syr Iohan passheley / syre Thomas tūstall. Iohan Chydyok / syr Raufe langeforde / syr wyllyam drury / syre wyllyam thomas / Rycharde Carbonell / syr Rycharde wyde wyle / syr Iohn̄ shrydelow syr wyllyam Chayne / syr wyllyam Badyngton. syr Iohnn Iune / and syr Gylbert beauchampe. ¶Item in the fyfth yere the duke of Bedford wyth the duchesshe hys wyfe wente ouer see to Calayes & a lytell before wente ouer see Henry bysshop of wynchestre. And on our ladyes daye Annū cyacyon in our lady thirche at Calays the bysshop of wyncestre as he had sōgen masse was made Cardynall and he knelyge before the hyghe awter the duke of Bedforde set the hat vppon his heed / and there were hys bulles redde as well of hys charge as of y^e reioysynge of his benefyces spyrytall and temporall. And thys same yere was grete habundaunce of rayne / that the substaūce of heye / & also of corne was dystroyed / for it rayned almooste euery other daye. ¶And this same yer y^e good erle of Sa­lesbury syr Thamas of Mountagu layd syege vnto Orlyaunce at the whyche syege he was slayne wyth a gonne that come out of the tow­ne on whos soule god haue mercy. Amen. For sythe that he was slayne Englysshe men ne­uer gate ne preuayled in Fraunce / but euer after began to lese lytyll tyll all was loste. ¶Also this same yere a Bryton murthred a good wedowe in hyr bedde without Algate whiche we­dowe foūde hym for almes / and he bare away all that she and. And after this he toke the gyrthe of holy chyrche at saynt George in South­warke / & there he toke the crosse and for swore this londe. And as he wente it happened that he came by the place where he dyd this cursyd dede in the subarbes of London and the wo­men of y^e same parysshe came out with staues and canell dounges and slewe & made an ende of hym there. Notwithstandynge the conesta­bles & many other men beynge presente for to kepe hym for there were so many women and had no pyte. ¶Also this same yere the duke of Northfolk with many gentylmen and yomen toke his barge / the .vii. daye of Nouembre att Saynt Mary oueres for to haue gone thrughe London brydge. And thrughe mysgydynge of the barge it ouerthrewe on the pyles and ma­ny men drowned / but the duke hymselfe wyth two or thre leped vppon pyles and soo were sa­ued wyth helpe of mē that were aboue the brydge with castynge downe ropes / by the whyche popes they saued them self. ¶This same yere on saynt Leonardes day kyng Henry beynge vii. yere of age was crowned at westmynster / at whoos coronacyon were made .xxxvii. kny­ghtes. ¶This yere on saynt Georges daye he rassed ouer see to Calays to warde Fraunce. ¶About this tyme and a fore the reame beynge in grete mesery and trybulacyon. the Dol­phyn with his partye begā to make warre and gate certayne places and made distresses vpon the Englysshmen by the meane of hys Capy­tayns. y^t is to saye la heer & poton de sayntrayl­les / and espycyal. a mayde whiche they named la pucelle de dicu. This mayde rode lyke a mā and was a valyaunt Capytayne. amonge thē and toke vpon hyr many grete enterpryses in so moche that they had a byleue for to haue re­coueryd all theyr losses by hyr. Notwithstan­dynge at the laste after many grete f [...]autes / by [Page cxxi] the helpe of prudence of syr Iohn̄ Lukembur­ghe the whiche was a noble Capytayne of the duke of Burgon & many Englysshemen Py­cardes and Burgonyons whiche were of oure partye before the towne of Company the .xxiii daye of Maye the for sayde pucelle was taken in y^e feld armed lyke a man & many other Capytaynes with hyr & were all brought to Rone & there she was put in to pryson. And there she was Iuged by the lawe to be brent. And than she sayd that she was wyth chylde / wherby she was a whyle respyted Butte in conclusyon yt that founden that the was not wyth chylde / & than she was brent in Rone / and the other Capytayns were put to raunsome & entreted as men of warre ben acustomed. ¶And this sa­me yere about Candemasse Rycharde hunder a wulle packer was damned for an heretyke & brent at Tourhylle. ¶And aboute mydlēten syr Thomas Baggely preest & vycarye of the Mauen in Estsex besyde walden was dysgra­ded and dampned for an heretyke and brente in smythfelde / ¶And also in thys same yere whyles the kynge was in Fraunce there were many heretykes and lolardes that had purpo­sed make a rysynge and caste hylles in dyuerse places but blessed be almyghty god the Capy­tayae of theym was taken whoos name was wyllaym Manndeuyll a weuer of Abendon & balyf of the same towne· whiche named hym­self Iacke Sharpe of wygmoreslonde in wa­les. And after warde he was beheded at the forsayd Abendon in the wytson weke ī the tewes­daye. ¶This same yere the .vi. day of Decembre kynge Henry the syxth was crowned kyn­ge of Fraunce at Parys in the chirche of oure lady with grete solempnyte / there beynge presente the Cardynall of Englonde the duke of Bed fordt and many other lordes of Fraunce and Englonde. And after thys coronacyon & grete feest holden at Parys the kyng retorned from thens to Rone and so to warde Calays / and the .ix. daye of Feuerer londed att Douer / whom all the comunes of Kent mette at Ber­amdon bytwene Caunterbury and / Douer al in reed hodes. and so come forthe tyll he came to the blacke hethe where he was mette wyth the mayer Iohn̄ wellys with all the craftes of London clothed all in whyche / & so they brou­ghte hym vnto London the .xxi. daye of the sa­me moneth. And this same yere was a restra­ynt of the wulles of Caleys made by the sou­dyours bycause they were not pay [...]d of theyr wages. wherfore the duke of Bedford regned of Fraūce beynge than Capitayns came to Calays the tewsday in y^e ester weke. And than on y^e morne after many soudyours of y^e towne were arested & put in warde. And in the same we­ke he rode to Terewyn / & by the meane of the bysshop of Terewyn he wedded the Erles doughter of Saynt Poule & came ayē to Calays / And than the .xi. daye of Iune on saynt Bernabeys daye there were foure soudyours of cal [...]is that were the chyef causers of the restraynt of the wulles byheded / that is to wyte Iohn̄ Madeley / Iohn̄ Launday / Thomas Palmer / and Talbot / & an hondred and .x bannysssed out of the towne that same tyme / and before were ba­nysshed an hondred and .xx soudyours. And on mydsomer euē after came the lorde regēce and his wyfe to London.

ANd than about thys tyme deyed pope Martyn. And after hym Eugen [...]e [...]he fourth was pope. This man was peasably chosen in the courte of Rome by the Cardynals & was very and indubytate pope. But within a shorte tyme after he was put & expulced oute of Rome in suche amanere that he was fayne for to flee naked. ¶In this same tyme was the counseyll of Basyle to the whiche coūseyll Eugenye the pope was cyted to come. And bycause that he came not they deposed hym / but he rought not ne set not therby but gate the cytee of Rome & abode stylle pope .xii. yere. ¶Thys tyme about wytsontyde the heretykes of Praghe were dystroyed. for at two Iourneys were dystroyed of theym moo than .xxii. thousande with theyr Capytaynes that is to wete Procapius Saplico & Lupus prespyter. ¶Also the­re was taken on lyue mayster Pers clerke an Englysshysshe man & an heretyke. ¶And also this same yere was stronge frost & a longe du­ringe the whiche lasted .xi. wekes / for it began vpon saynt Katherynes euen & lasted vnto saynt Scolastycus day in Feuer yere / in the whyche tyme the vyntage that came frome Bur­deux come ouer shoters hyll. ¶This yere was the counseyll of ara [...] & a grete treate bytwene the kynge of Englonde and the kynge of Fraū ce where were assembled many grete lordes of bothe partyes. at whyche coūseyll was ossred to the kynge of Englonde grete thinges by the meane of a Legate that came fro Rome y^e whyche [Page] was Cardynall of saynt Crosse / whiche of [...]res were refused by the Cardynal of Englonde and other lordes there were for the kynge. wherfore the duke of Burgoyn y^t whiche had ben [...]onge Englysshe sworne forsoke our par­tye & retorned Frensshe by the meane of the forsayd Legate. & made a peas with the Frensshe kynge reteyuynge of kynge for recompensyn­ge of his faders deth the counte of Pon [...]ui / the lordshyp of Macon with moche other as is specyfyed in the sayd treaty. And so our embassa­tours came home ayen in horse caas then they went out For they loste there the duke of Burgoyne whiche had ben with hys burgoynons and Pycardes a synguler helpe in all the con­queste of Normandy & of Fraūce / This same yere was a grete batayl on the see bytwene the Ienewes & the kynge of Aragon of whiche ba­tayll the Ienewes had the vyctory / for they toke the kynge of Aragon the kyng of Nauerne & the grete mayster of saynt Iames in Galyce wyth thre hondred knyghtes & squyres & mo­che other peple / & this was on saynt Domyny­cus daye. And this same yere were seen thre sones atones / & anone folowed the thre folde gouernaūce in the chirche / that is to wete of Eugenye of the coūseyll and of neutralyte. ¶Also this same yere a .M.CCCC.xxxiiii. was a passynge grete wynde by whiche steples houses & trees were ouerthrowen About this tyme was an hooly mayde in Hollonde called Lyd wyth whiche lyned only by myracle not etynge ony mete. Thys yere the duke of Burgoyn began his ordre at Lyle of y^e gollden Fleys and ordeyned certayne knyghtes of the same ordre & made statutes & ordynaunces moche accordynge vnto the ordre of the garter. ¶Also this same yere the Frensshmen had enter prysed to haue stolen Calays in the fyssynge tyme / for many botes of Fraūce had safecondy [...]es to come to Calays for to take hetynge. And y^e soudyours of the towne had a custome to come to the chyrche dore / whiche staues the Frensshmen that were arayed lyke fysshers had purposed for to haue stolen theyr staues and wepen for to haue wonne so y^e towne. but one of them laye wyth a comune woman the nyght before / & he tolde to hyr theyr coūseyll / and she on the morne tolde it to the Lyuerenaunce whiche for the with alle commaunded that euery man sholde kepe hys wepen in his honde the sakerynge tyme & other. And whan the Frensshemen perceyued this y^t they were myspoynted they saylled steeyghte to Dere & stale & toke y^e towne. & on New yeres daye / af [...] they toke Harslet· And thus the Englysshmē begā to lese a lytyll & lytyl in Normandye.

¶How Calays & Guynes were beseged by the duke of Burgoyne & how they were rescowed by the duke of Gloucestre.

THys yere was a greate noyse all Eng­londe thrugh how the duke of Burgoyne wolde come & besyege Calays / wherfore the erle of Mortayne with his armye that he had to haue go with hym into fraūce / was cōmaū ­ded & charged that he shold go to Calays / whi­che was at that tyme well vytayled & manned for syr Iohn̄ Ratclyfe was Leuenetaunte of y^e towne for the kyng. And the baron of Dudlay Lyuetenaunt of the castell. ¶And the .ix. daye of Iulii the duke of Burgoyne. with all the power of Flaundres and moche other people ca­me before Calays & sete his syege about y^e towne / and euery towne of Flaundres had theyr tentes by themselfe. And this syege endured ther were In the meane whyle y^e duke of Gloucestre beynge protectour of Englonde toke the moost parte of all the lordes of Englonde and went ouer the see to Calays for to rescowe the towne or for to fyght with the duke & his hoost yf they wolde haue byden The tyme London and euery good towne of Englonde sent ouer the see to his rescowe certayne peple well arayed of the beste and chosen men for the warre. ¶And the seconde daye of August the forsayd duke of gloucestre aryued at Calays wyth all his army & .v. hondred shyppes & moo. ¶And the duke of Burgoyne & all his hoost that laye in the syege / as soone as they aspyed the sayles in y^e see before they approched Calays hauē sodaynly in a mornynge departed frome the sye­ge / leuynge behynde hym moche stuff and vy­tayle & fledde in to Flaundres and Pycardye And in lykewyse dyde the syege that laye befor Guy [...]es where as they of Gwenes toke gre­gonne of brasse called Dyg [...]on & many other grete gonnes & serpentes. And than whan the duke of Gloucere was aryued wyth hys host He wente in to Flaunders & there he was .xii. dayes & dyde bute lytell harme excepte that he brente two fayre vyllages Poperynge & Bell & other houses whyche were of no stronge buyldynge & so he retorned home ayen· ¶And thys same yere the kyng of Scotlonde besyeged Rokesburgh [Page cxxii] with moche people. But syr Raufe graye departed frō the castell & ordeyned for a rescowe But as soone as y^e kynge of Scotlōde vnderstode hys departynge sodaynly he brake his syege & wēte his waye & lefte moche ordinaunce behynde hym / where he gate hym no worshyp· This same yere the seconde daye of Ianyuer quene Katheryne the whiche was y^e kinges moder and wyf to kynge Hēry the fyfte deīed & departed out of this wolde & was brouht ryally thrugh Londō & soo to westm̄. & there she ly­eth worshypfully buryed in oure ladyes chapel ¶And also this same yere the fourth day of Ianyuer felle downe the gate wyth the tour on it on Londō brydge to warde South warde with two arches & al the stone theron ¶This same yere was a greate treate holdē bitwene Grauenynge Calays bytwene the kyng & the duke of Burgoyne / where was ī the kynges name the Cardynall of Englonde the duke of Norfolke and many other lordes / & for the duke of Burgoyne was the duchesse hauynge fulle power of hyr lorde as regnette and lady of hys londes where was taken by thaduyse of bothe party­es an abstynence of warre for a certayn tyme in the name of the duchesse and not of the du­ke by cause he had gone frome his othe and le­gaunce that he had made to kynge Henry the fyfte therfore the kynge neuer wolde wryte ne appoynt ne haue to doo with hym after. but all in the duchesse name. ¶Also thys same yere quene Iane deyed the seconde day of Iule whiche had ben wyfe to Kynge Henry the fourthe and was caryed frome Bermondsey to Caunterbury where she lyeth buryed by kynge Henry her husbonde. This same yere deyed all the Lyons in the toure of London. the whiche had not ben seen many yeres before.

¶Howe Owen a squyre of wales that had wedded quene Katheryne was arested and of the scisme bytwene Eugenie & Felix.

IN the .xv. yere of kynge Henry the sixth deyed Sygysmondus Emperour of Almayne and knyght of the garter / whos termē ­te the kynge kepte at saynt Poules in London tyally / where was made a ryall heerse / and the Kynge in his astate cladde in blewe was atte e­uen at dyryge & on the morne at masse. &c. And after hym was electe and chosen Albert duke of Osteryk whiche had wedded Sygysmon­dus doughter for to be Emperour. This man was takē & receyued to be Kynge of Beme and Vngary by cause of his wyf that was Sygysmondus doughter whiche left none other hey­re after hym. This Alberte was Emperoure but one yere / for he was poysened & so deyed some saythe y^t he deyed of flix but he was a ver­tuous mā & pytefull moche that all the peple y^e knew hym sayd that y^e world was not worthy to hauy his presence. ¶This same yere one Owē a squyre of wales a mē of low byrth whyche had many a day befor secretly wedded que­ne Kateryn / & had by hyr .iii. sones [...] one doughter / & he was takē & cōmaūded to Newgate to prysō by my lord of Gloucestre protectour of y^e reame. And this yere he brake the prysō by the meane of a preest y^t was his chapelayn & after was takē ayē by my lorde Bomōde & brought ayē to Newgate / & afterwarde deliuered at large. And one of his sones afterwarde was ma [...]e erle of Rychemōde & an oth [...]r erle of Pēbroke & the thyrde a mōke of westm̄ whiche mōke d [...]yed sone after. ¶This same yere also on Newe yeres daye at Bernardes Castell fell downe a stake of wode sodaynly at after none and slewe thre mē myschyfly & foule hurte other. ¶And at Bedforde on a shyresdai were xviii. mē murdred without stroke by fallynge downe a stayr as they come out of the comune [...]alle and manifoule hurte. ¶In the .xviii yere syr Rycharde Beauchāp y^e good erle of warwyke deyed atte Rone he beynge y^e tyme lyuetenate of the kīge in Normandye and frome thens his body was brought to warwyke where he lyeth worshyp­fully in a newe chappel on the south syde of the quere. ¶And also this yere was a grete derth of corne thrughout all Englonde for a bussell of where was worth xl. pens in many places of Englonde. ¶And yet they myght not haue ynoughe wherfore Steuen Browne that tyme Mayre of Londō sente into pruce and broughte to London certayn shyppes laden wyth rye whiche dyd moche good to the poore people. For corne was soo scarse in Englonde that in some places of Englonde poore people made them brede of fern rotes. ¶This yere y^e gene­rall coūseyll of Basylyde posed Eugeny & they chose Felix whiche was duke of sauoy. & than began the scysme whiche endured vnto the ye­re of our lorde .M.CCCC.xlvii. ¶This felix was a deuoute prynce & sawe his sones sone / And after lyued an holy lyfe. and was chosen [Page] pope of the coūseyll of Bysyle & Eugeny deposed. And so the scysme was longe tyme. & thys Felyx had but lyttll obedience by cause of the naturalyte. for the moost parte & wel nyghe al crystendome obeyed and reputed Eugeny for very pope of theym bothe. gor bothe occupyed duryng the lyf of Eugeny. This same yere syr Rychard whyche was vycarye of Hermettel­worth was degrated of his preesthode at Poules & brent at toure hylle as for an heretike on saynt Botulphus daye. how well att his deche he deyed a good Crysten man / wherfore after his dethe moche people come to the place where he was brēte and offred. and made an hepe of stones & set vp a crosse of tree & helde him for a saynt tyll the Mayre & shreues by the kyngꝭ cōmaundement & of bysshappes dystroyed it & made there a doūge hylle. ¶And also this yere y^e shreues of London set out of saint Martins the graunte of the sent wary fyue ꝑsones whyche after warde were restored ayen to the sent­wary by the kynges Iustices. ¶And after Alberte the thyrd. Frederyk was chosen Empe­roure▪ This frederyk duke of Osteryk was lō ­ge Emperour & dyfferred to be crowned at Rome by cause of the scysme. but after that vny­te was had he was crowned wyth the Imperyall dyademe wyth grete glorye and tryumphe of pope Nycholas the iiii. This was a peasy­ble man. quyete. and of synguler pacience not hatyngethe chryche he wedded y^e kynges dou­ghter of portyngale. ¶How y^e duchesse of Gloucestre was arested for trason & cōmytted to perpetuall pryson in y^e yle of Man. & of the dethe of mayster Roger Bolyngbrok.

IN this same yere Elynoure Cobham duchesse of Gloucestre was arested for certayne poyntes of treason layde ayen hir / whervpon she was examynde in Saynt Stephens Chapell att westm̄ afore the Arche bysshop of Caunterbury. And there she was enioyned to do open penaunce to go thrughe the Chepe be­ryng a taper in hir hande & after to perpetuall pryson in the yle of Man vnder the kepyng of syr thomas stanley. Also that same tyme was arested mayster Thomas southwell a chanō of westm̄ mayster Iohn̄ haue a chapelayne off the sayd lady. mayster Robert bolyngbroke a clerke vsyng Nygromancye. and one Margery iouroemayn called the which of Eye belyde westm̄. there were arested as for beynge of con̄ seyl with the sayde duchesse of Gloucestre. and for mayster Thomas suthwel deyed in y^e tour y^e nyght before he sholde haue be reyned on the morowe. for he hymself sayd y^t he sholde deye in his bedde & not by Iustyces. ¶And in y^e .xx. ye­re mayster Iohn̄ hume & mayster Roger bolyngbrok were brought to y^e gylde halle in Londō. & there before y^e Mayre y^e lordes & chyef of Englonde were reyned & dāpned bothe to be drawē & hanged & quartred but mayster Iohn̄ hume had his charter by y^e kyng. but mayster Roger was drawen to tyburn where he cōfessed y^t he deyed gyltles of this mater & neuer hadde trespaced in that he deyed fore Notwithstondyng he was hāged heded & quartred whos soule god haue mercy Amē. ¶And margere iurdemayn was brent in smythfylde. & also this yere was a greate fraye in london ī flete strete by nyghte tyme bytwene mē of courte and men of london. And dyuerse mē slayne and some hurte. And o­ne Herbotel was the chyef canser of the mysgouernaūce & affraye. ¶Also this yere at the che­synge of the mayre of / londō the comēs named Robert Clopton and Raulyn Holande talyor and the aldermē toke Robert clopton and brought hym att the ryght hande of the Mayre as custome is. And than certayn talyour [...] and o­ther h [...]de craftes men cryed nay nay not thys man but Raulyn holande wherfore y^e Mayre that was Padyslye sente theym that so cryed to Newgate where they abode a grete whyle & were punysshed· ¶In this yere were dyuerse enbassatours sente in to Guyon fro a marya­ge for the kynge for the Erles doughter of Ar­mynake that whiche was concluded. but by y^e meane of the erle of Suffolke it was lette & put a parte· ¶And after this the sayd erle of Suffolke wente hem self ouersee in Fraunce and there he trated the marynge bytwene the kinge of Englonde and the kynges doughter of Cycyle and of Iherusalem / And the nexte yere yt was concluded fully that maryage. by whiche maryage the kynge sholde delyuer to hir fader the duke of Angeo and the erldome of Maynē whiche was the keye of Normandye / Thēne departed the erle of Suffolke wyth his wyfē & dyuerse lordes and knyghtes in the moste ryal astate that myght be oute of Englonde wyth newe chares & palfreys whiche wente thrugh the chepe and so wente ouer the see and recey­ued hir and than after in the lenten broughte [Page cxxiii] hyr vnto Hamton where she lāded & there was ryally receyued. ¶And vpō Candelmas euen before by a grete tēpeste of thondre & lyghenynge at after none. Poules styple was set on fyre on the mydddes of y^e shaft in y^e tymbre. whyche was quenched by force of laboure And specially by y^e morowe masse preeste of y^e Bowe in chepe whyche was thought impossyble sauf only the grace of god. ¶This yere was the erle of Stafforde made & create Duke of Bukynghm therle of werwykd of warwyk y^e erle of Dorset markys of Dorset & the erle was made Markꝭ of Soffolk.

¶How kynge Hēry wedded quene Margarete. & of her coronacyon.

THis yere kinge henry maryed at Suthwyk quene Margarete. & she came to lō don y^e .xxviii. day of may. And by the waye al y^e lordes of Englōde receyued hyr worshypfully in dyuerse places. And ī especiall duke of Gloucestre. & on the Blacke heth the Mayre with all the aldermē. & all the craftes in blewe gownes broudred wyth the deuyse of hys crafte. y^t they myght be knowen met with hyr with redde ho­des & brought her to londō. where were dyuer­se pagēris & countenaūce of dyuerse hystoryes shewed in dyuers places of the Cytie costely. ¶And the xxx. daye of May. the forsayd quene was crowned at westm̄ & ther was Iustes thre dayes durynge wythin the Sayntwary before y^e abbaye ¶This yere the pryour of Kylmain apeled therle of Vrmonde of treason. whyche had a daye to theym assygued for to fyght in Smythfelde. And the lystes were made & the felde dressed But whā it came to poynt. y^e king cōmaunded that they sholde not fyghte. but to­ke the quarell in to his honde. And this was done at y^e Instāce & labours of certayne prechers & doctours of lōdon. as mayster Gylbert wor­thyngton persone of saynt Andrewes in Hol­bron. & other. ¶Also this yere came a grete embassate in to Englonde out of fraūce. for to ha­ue cōcluded a perpetual peas. but in cōclusyon it torned in to trewes for a yere ¶Aboute this time dyed saynt Bernardyne a gray frere whiche began the newe reformacyō of the ordre in many places in so moche. y^t they. that were re­formed. bē called Obseruaūtes▪ whyche obser­uauntes been gretly encreaced in Italy & in almayn. this Bernardyn was canonysed by pope Nycholas the .v. in the yere of our lorde .MCCCC.l. ¶Iohānes de Capristrano was his dysciple whiche profyted moche to the reformacion of that ordre for god hathe shewed many a fayre myracle. ¶Also here is to be noted. that frome this tyme forwarde. kynge Hēry neuer profyted ne wente forwarde. but fortune begā to torne frome hym on all sydes. as well in fra­unce Normandye. Guyon. as in Englonde. sō men holden oppynyon that kynge Henry gaue commyssyon preuarly to Syr Edwarde Hull syr Robert Roos / Deane of Saynt Senerynes and other / to cōclude a maryage for hym. with the Erle of Armynakes syster. whiche was promysed as it was sayde and cōcluded / and after broken / and he wedded quene Margarete as afore is sayde / and a full dere maryage for the reame of Englonde / for it was knowe verely / that for to haue hyr delyuerde was y^e duchy of Angeo & the erldom of Mayn whiche was the keye of Normandye for the frenssmē to entre / ¶And aboute this the sayde Markys of Suffolke axed in playne parlement· a fyftene and an half / for to fetche her out of fraūce. ¶Loo what a mariage was this as to the comparysō of that other maryage. For there sholde haue be delyuerde. so many castels and Townes in Guyon / and so moche golde sholde haue be ye­uen with her / that alle Englonde sholde haue be therby enriched / but cōtrary wyse fell wherfore euery grete prynce ought to kepe hys pro­myse / For bycause of brekynge of this promyse / & for maryage of quene Margarete. what losse hath the reame of Englond had / by lesynge of Normādye & Guyon / by dyuysyon in the reame / y^e rebellynge of comyns ayēst ther prince and lordes / what dyuysyon amoge y^e lordes what murdre and sleynge of theym / what fel­des foughte & made / in conclusyon soo many y^t many a man hathe loste his lyfe / & in conclusyon the kynge deposed. & the quene wyth her soone fayne to fle into Scotlōde / & from thens in to Fraūce. & so to Loreyne / the place that she came fyrst fro. many mē deme that the brekyngege of the kynges promyse to the systyr of the er­le of Armynack / was cause of his greate losse & aduersy [...]e.

¶How the duke of Gloucestre the kynges vncle was arested at the parlyament of Bury / and of hys dethe / & how Angeo in Mayn was delyueredd.

IN the .xxvi. yere of kynge Henry was a parlyament at Bury. called Saynt Edmondes [Page] bury / abowte whiche was cōmaun­ded all the comyns of the countre to be there / ī their moste beste defensyable araye. for to wayte vpon the kynge / To whiche parlyament came the duke of Gloucestre. Vmfry the kynges vncle whiche hadde be protectoure of Englō ­de all the noneage of the kynge. And anone af­ter as he was in hys lodgynge he was arested by the Vycoūte Beaumont the Conestable of Englonde / whome accompanyed the duke of Bukyngham / and many other lordes. ¶And for the wyth all his seruauntes were cōmaunded to departe frome hym And xlii. of the chief of theym were arested. and sente to dyuerse prisons. And anone after this sayd areste the sayde duke was on y^e morowe deed. on whos sou­le god haue mercy. but how he dyed & in what maner the certente is not knowe. Some saye he deyed for sorowe some said he was murdred bytwene two federbeddꝭ. some sayd y^t a spytte was put in his fūdamente. But how he deyed god knoweth. to whome no thynge in hydde. & then whan he was deede he was layde open y^t all men myght hym se· And soo bothe lordes & knyghtes of the shyre wyth Burgeys. came & sawe hym lye dede. but woūde ne token coude they not perceyue how he dyde Here may men marke what this worlde is ¶This duke was a noble man & a grete clerke. & ruled worshyp­fully y^e reame to the kinges behoue. and neuer cowde be foūde fawte to him. but enuye of thē y^t were gouernours & had promysed the duchy of Angeo & the erldome of myan. caused y^e dy­struction of this noble man. For they dradde y^t he wolde empeshed y^e delyueraunce. And after they sente his boody to saint Albons wyth cer­tayn lyghtes. for to be buryed. And so syr Gerauys of Clyfton had then y^e charge for to conueye y^e corps. And so it was buryed at Saynt Albons in the abbaye. And fyue ꝑsones of hys housholde were sente to london / & there were they reyned. & Iugyd to be drawen. & hanged. & also quarered. Of whome the names were / syr roger chamberlayne knyght. & one mydelton a squyre. & Richard denham· whiche v. ꝑ­sones were draw fro y^e toure of london thrugh Chepe to tyborn· & there lete done quycke and them striped to haue be heded & quartred & then y^e marqueys of Suffolke shewed there for thez y^e kyngꝭ ꝑdon vnder his grete seale. & soo they were ꝑdoned of the remenaūce of all y^e other execusyon & had theyr lyues. & so they were brought ayē to lōdon. & after freely delyuered Thus begā trowble in this reame of Englonde. for y^e dethe of this noble duke of Gloucestre. & al the comyns of the reame begā for to murmure for it & were not cōtent· ¶And after y^e pope Eugeny was deed Nycholas the fyfte was elect po­pe. this Nycholas was chose for Eugenye yet hangyng these sysmo notwithstondyng he gate the Obediēce of all crystē reames. For after he was electe & sacred pope certayne lordes of fraunce & of Englōde / were sente in to Sauoy to pope. felix. for to entreate hym to seasse of y^e papacye. And by the specyall laboure of saynt Io­hānes. he sessed the seconde yere after the pope Nycholas was sacred. And the sayde. felix was made Legate of fraunce and Cardynal of Sauoye· and he resygned the hole papacye to Nycholas. And after lyued an holy lyf. & deyed an holy man. And as it is sayde almyghty god shewed myracles for hym. This was y^e .xxiii. scys­me bytwene Eugeny and Felyx. & dured .xvi. yere. ¶The cause was this. the generall counseyll of Basyle deposed Eugeny / whyche was oonly pope and Indubytyte. for asmoche as he obserued not and kepte the decrees and statu­tes of the counseyll of Constance as it is sayde before. Nether he rought not to yeue obedyence to the gener all counseyll in no maner wyse wherfore arose a grete alteracyon among wryters of thes matere (pro et contra) whiche can not accorde vnto this daye / one partye sayth / that the counseyll is aboue the pope. And that other partye sayth nay. but the pope is aboue the counseyll. God blessed aboue all thynge yeue and graunte his peas in holy chirche spou­se of cryste amen. This nycholas was of Iene comen of lowe degree. a doctour of dyuynyte / An actyf man he Reedyfyed many places that were broken / & ruynous. and dyd make a walle aboute the palays. and made the walle ne­we abowte Rome for drede of the Turkis / & y^e people wondred and gretely merueylled of the ceasyng and resynyng of pope Felix to y^e pope Nycholas / cōsyderynge that Nicholas was a mā of so homely a byrth y^e other was of affynyte to all moste party of cristen prīces wherfore ther was a uerse publysshed. as is a fore sayde. ¶How syr [...]raunsoys Aragonys toke Fogy­ers in Normandye / and of the losse of Constā ­tynople by the Turke.

[Page cxxiiii]IN the yere of kynge Henry .xxvii. beyng trewes bytwene fraūce and Englond A knyght of y^e Englisshe partye named Syr Fraunces aragony toke a towne in Normādye named Fogyese / ayēste the trewes / of whyche ta­kynge begā moche sorowe & losse for thys was the occasyō / by the whiche the frenssmmē gate all Normandye. ¶Aboute this tyme the Cyte of Cōstantynople / whiche was the emperial cytye in all Grece / was takē by the turkes▪ Infydels whiche was bytrayde as some holde oppynyō / And thēperoure taken & slayne. & the ryall chyrche of saynt Sophya robbed & dyspoyled. and the relyques and ymages and the rode drawynge aboute the stretes / whiche was done in spyte of Crysten fayth and sone after all crystē fayth in Grece perysshed and cessyd There were many Crysten mē slayne. and innumerable solde and put in captyuyte. ¶By the takynge of this towne. the Turke gretly was enhaūced in pryde. and a grete losse to all crystendome. ¶In the .xxviii. yere was a parlyament holdē at westm̄) & from thens adyourned to the blac­ke freres at Londō / and after cristmas to westmynster ayen. ¶And this same yere Robert of Cane a man of westcountre wyth a fewe shyp­pes comynge out of the bay. lade with salt whiche shyppes were of Pruce flandres Hollande and zelande / and brought theym to Hampton wherfore the marchauntes of Englonde be­ynge in Flaundres were arested. in Brydges / Ipre and other places. and myghte not be delyuered / ne theyr dettes dyscharged / tyll they had made apoyntment for to raye y^e hurtes of shyppes / whiche was payde by the Marchauntes of the staple euery peny. & in lyke wyse y^e Marchauntes and goodes beynge in Dansyke / were also arested / and made grete amendes This same yere the frensshmē in a mornyng toke by a trayne the towne of Pounte al Arche. & there in the lorde Fawconbrydge was taken pryso­ner. And after that in Decembre Rone was taken & loste beynge therin syr Edmonde Duke of Somerset / & the Erle of Shrewesbury the whiche by a poyntement left pledges and loste all Normandye / and came home into Englon­de. And duryng the sayde parlyamente. the du­ke of Suffolke was arested. and sente in to the toure & there he was a moneth. & after the kyn­ge dyd do fetche hym oute. for whiche cause all the comunes were in a greate rumoure / what for the delyueraunce of Aungeo & Mayne & after lesynge of all Normādye & in especcyall for the dethe of the good duke of Gloucestre / in so moche in some places mē gadred & made theȳ Capytayns. as blewberde & other / whyche we­re take & put to dethe / And then the sayde parlyamente adyounyd was to Leycetre. And theder the kynge brought with hym the duke of Suf­folk. And whā the comyns vnderstode that he was oute of the Towre & comē thyder / they desyred for to haue execucyō on theym y^t were cause of the delyueraūce of normādye / & hadde because of the deth of the duke of Gloucestre and hadde solde gascoyne and guyan / of the whiche they named too be gylty / The duke of Suffol­ke as chyef. The lorde Saye the Bysshop of salysbury / dauyel & many mo. And for to please y^u comyns the duke. of Suffolke was exyled oute of Englonde for .v. yere. ¶And so duryng the parlyamēte he wente into Norfolke & there he toke his shyppyng / for to goo out of the reame of Englonde into fraunce / And this yere as he saylled on y^e see a shyppe of werre called Nycholas of the toure mette wyth his shyp and foun­de hym therin whome they toke out. and brou­ght hym in to theyr shyppe to the maystre & the capytayne / and there he was examyned and at the laste Iuged to deth And so they put hym in a caban and his chapylayne wyth hym for too shryue hym / And that done they brought hym into Douer rode / & set hym into the bote & smo­te there of his heede / And broughte the body a londe vpō the sondes / and set the heede ther by And this was done the fyrst daye of May. Lo what auayled hym nowe all hys delyueraunce of Normandye / And here maye ye schow he was rewarded for the deth of the duke of Gloucestre / thus began sorowe vppon sorowe / and deth for dethe.

¶How this yere was Insurreccyon in Kē ­te of the comyns / of whome Iack Cade an Irysshe man was capytayne

THis yere of our lorde. M·cccc. & .l. was the grete grace of the Iubyle at Rome where was greete pardon. in so moche that frō all places in crystendome / grete multytude of people restorcyd thyder / And in this same yere was a grete assymble and gaderynge to gyder of the comyns of kente in to gret nombre. And made an Insurreccyon. and Rebelled ayenste the kynge and his lawes. And ordeyned them [Page] a Capytayne called Iohān Cade an Iryshmā whiche named hymself Mortymer / cosyn to the duke of yorke / And this Capytayne helde theym togyder / and made ordynaūces among theym. and brought theym to the blacke hethe where he made a byl of pe [...]ycyons to the kyng and hys counseyll and shewed what Iniuryes oppressyons the poore comyns suffren & vnd coleur. for to come to hys aboue / and he hadde a grete maltytude of people. ¶And the .xxvii daye of Iune. y^e kynge and many lordes Capitayns· and men of werre wente to warde hym to the blacke hethe· And whan the Capytayne of kent vnderstode the comynge of the kynge wyth so grete puyssaunce. he wythdrewe hym and his people to smok / a lytyll vyllage. And the .xxviii. day of Iune he beynge withdrawē and gone the kynge came with hys armye sett in ordre and enbatayl led to the blacke heth / & by aduys of his coūseyll. syr Vmffrey Stafforde squyre two valyaunt capytayns / wyth certayn people for to fyght wyth the capytayne & to take and bringe hym and hys accessaries to the kynge / whiche wente to Senok. ¶And y^e Capytayne wyth hys felshyp and mette wyth theym. & fought ayenst them. and in conclusyon slewe them bothe / and as many as abode & wolde not yelde thē were slayne.

¶Durīg this skyrmysshe. felle a grete variaū ce amonge the lordes men and comyn people beynge on blacke hathe ayenste theyr lordes & Capytayns / sayenge playnly / that they wolde go vnto the Capytayne of kente. to assyste and help hym / but yf they myght haue execucyon on the traytours beynge about y^e kynge wher to the kynge sayd nay. & they sayd playnly y^t y^e lorde Saye tresourer of Englōde. & the bisshop of Salysbury. & the baron of Dubby. y^e abbot of Gloucestre. Drnyel. & treuilō. & many mo were traytours. and worthy to bee dede wherfore for to plese the lordes meny & also some of the kynges hous: y^e lorde Saye was arested & sente to the toure of london. & then the kyng he ryuge tydynges of the dethe & ouer throwenge of the Staffordes he wythdrew hym to londō & frome thens to kelyng worthe / For the kyng ne the lordes durst not truste the towne hous­holdemen. ¶Then after y^t the capytayne had hadde thys vyctorye vppon the Staffordes / anone he toke syr Vmfreys fallete &. hys bryngantynes smyten ful of gylte na [...]les & also his [...] gylte spo [...] And arayed hym lyke a lorde & a capytayne & resorted with al his meny. and also moo thā he had before. to y^e blacke heth ayē To whome came the archebysshop of Caūterbury & the duke of Buckynghā to the blacke hethe & spake with hym. And as it was sayd they founde hym wytty in his talkynge & his request. & so they departed. ¶And y^e thyrde day of Iuly he came & entred into London wyth al his people & there dyd make cryes in the Kynges name & in his name / that no man sholde robbe. ne take no maner goddes but yf he payed for it And came rydyng thorough y^e cyte ī grete pryde. & smote his swerde vppō london stone in Canwycke strete. ¶And he beynge in the cyte / sēte to y^e toure for to haue the lorde Say. And so they fette hym & brought hym to y^e yelde halle before. mayre & chaldermen where that he was examyned And he sayd. he wolde & ought to be Iuged by his petys. And the comyns of Kent toke hym by force frō y^e mayre / & office [...] that kepte hym and toke hym to a prest to shrewe. hym. And or he myght be half shriuē / they broughte hym to the standerd in the chepe syde. and there smo­te of his heed. on whos soule god haue mery. Amen. ¶And thus deyed the lorde Saye Tresourer of Englonde. ¶And this they set his heed vpon a spere. & bare it all about the Cyte And the same daye about Myle ende: Cro­mere was beheded. And the daye before at af­ter none the Capytayne with certayne of hys men went to Philyp malpaus house & robbyd hym. and toke a waye moche good. And from thens he wen to saynt. Margaretes patens to one Gertis house. and robbyd hym. and toke away from hym moche good also Att whiche robbyng dyuerse men of London of thier neyghbours were at· and toke part wyth theym / ¶For this robbyng the peples hertes felle frome hym· And euery thryfty men was a ferde / for to be serued in lyke wyse. ¶For there was many a man in London. that a wayted & wol­de fayn haue sene a comyn robbery whyche almyghty god forbyd. For it is to suppose yf he hadde not robbyd he myght haue goon ferre / or he had be wythstonde. for the kynge and all the lordes of the reame of Englonde were de­parted except the lorde. Scalys that kept the toure of London And the fyfte daye of In [...] he dyd do smyte of a mānys hede in south werke. And the nyght after the mayre of London with the Aldermen & the Comyns of the cyte [...] [Page cxxvi] concluded to dryue away the capytayne. & hys hooste And sent to the lorde Scales to y^e toure & to Mathegough a capytayne of Normādye y^t they wolde that nyght assayll the Capytayne with theym of kente. And so they dyd come to London brydge in such werke or the Capytay­ne had ony knowlege therof & they fought with theym that kept the brydge And the kē [...]ysshmē wēt to harnes & came to the brydge & shote and foughte with thē & gate the bridge & made theȳ of Londō to flee & slewe many of theym. & thys endured all the nyght to & fro / tyll one of y^e clocke of the morowe. And at the laste they brente the drawe brydge. where many of theym of london were drowned. In the whiche nyght sat­ton and alderman of Lōdon was slayn Roger heysaunte. Mathegough. & many other. And after this the chaunseler of Englonde sent to the Capytayne a pardon generalle for hym & an other for his meny and then they departyd fro such werke euery man to his owne hous / ¶And whā they were al departed & gone ther was proclamacyons made in Kente South sex & other places. that what man coude take the Capytayn quycke or deed. sholde haue a thousā de poūde. ¶And after this one Alexander ydē a squyer of kent toke hym in a gardē in suthsex And in takē Iohn̄ Cade capytayne was slayne and beheded. And his heed sette vpon London brydge. And anone after the kynge came in to kente / and dyd his Iustices sytte at Caunterbury / and enquyred who was causers & chyef cause of this Insurreccyon. And there were .viii. mē Iugyd to the deth in one daye & in other places mo And from thens the kynge went in to Southsex and in the weste countree where a lytell before was slayne the bysshop of Salysbu­ry. And this same yere there were so many Iugyd to deth that thre hedes stode vppon Londō brydge atte ones.

¶Of the felde that the duke of yorke toke att Drenched in kent / & of the byrch of prynce Edwarde / & of the fyrste bataylle at Sayne Albōs where the duke of somerset was slayne.

IN the .xxx. yere of the kynge / the duke of yorke came out of the Marche of walys with therle of Deuenshyre & the lord Cobham and grete puyssaunce reformacyon of certayne Iniurys and wrōges / and also to haue Iustice vpon certayne lordes beynge about the kynge & toke a felde at Brentheth besyde Detford in Kente. whiche was a stronge felde for whyche cause the kinge wyth all his lordes went vnto blacke heth. wyth a grete and a stronge multy­tude of peple armyd / and ordeyned for the warre in the beste wyse. And whan they hadde mustre on the hethe / certayne lordes were tho sen­te vnto hym. for to treate and make apointmēt with hym. whiche were the bysshop of Ely. the bysshop of wyncestre / therles of Salysbury & of warwyk / And they concluded that the duke of Somerset sholde be had to warde. and to answere to suche artycles as y^e duke of yorke shol­de put on hym And then the duke of yorke shold breke his felde / & come to y^e kyng. whiche was all promysed by the kynge. And soo the Kynge commaunded. that the duke of Somerset sholde he hadde in to warde. And then̄e the duke of yorke brake vp his felde and came to y^e kynge And whan he was come contrarye to the pro­myse afore made / the duke of Somerset was presēte in the felde / awaytynge and cheyf aboute the kynge / And made the duke of yorke ryde before as a prysoner thrughe london. ¶And after they wolde haue put hym in holde. But a noyse arose that therle of Marche hys sone. was comynge with .x. thousande men to London warde wherfore the kynge and hys coun­seyll feryd / And then̄e they concluded that the duke of york sholde departe att his owen wyll. ¶Abowte this tyme began grete dyuylyon ne Spruce bytwene the greate mayster and the Knyghtes of the duchye ordre whyche were lordes of that coūtree. For the comyns & townes rebelled ayenst the lordes and made soo greate werre / y^e at y^e last they called the kyng of Pole to be theyr lorde / the whiche kynge came and was worshypfully receyued / And besyeged the castell / of Mar [...]engburgh / whiche was the cheyf castell of strength of all the londe. An [...] wa [...] ne it / & droue out the mayster of Da [...]ske [...] and all other places of that londe & so they that had ben lordes many yeres. loste all theyr seygnourye and possessyons in tho londes. ¶And in the yere of the Incarnacyon of oure lorde .M.CCCC.liii. on saynte Edwardes daye. quene. Margarete was delyuerde of a fayre prynce whyche named was Edward. That same day Iohan Norman was chosē for to be Mayer of London. And the daye that he sholde take hys othe att westmynster / he wente thyder by wa­ter wyth alle the craftes / where afore tyme tho [Page] mayer / alderme and the craftes rode on horsbacke the whiche was neuer vsyd after. For syn that tyme they haue euer goon by water in botes and barges. ¶ye haue well vnderston­de before how that contrary to the promyse of the kyng & also the conclusyons take bytwene the kynge & y^e duke of yorke att Brentheth the duke of Somerset went not to warde but abode about the kynge / & had grete rule / And anone after he was made Capytayne of Calays. & ruled the kyng & his reame as he wolde / wherfore the grete lordes of the reame / & also y^e co­myns were not pleased: For whyche cause the duke of yorke / the erle of warwyke / the erle of Salysbury with many knyghtes and squyres and moche other people came to remeue y^e sayde duke of Somerset and other fro the kynge / And the kyng herynge of theyr comynge / thoughte by hys coūseyll for to haue gone westwar­de & not for to haue mette with them. And had with hym the duke of Somerset y^e duke of Bokyngham the erle of Stafforde the erle of Northumberlonde \ the lorde Clyfforde / & many o­ther. ¶And what tyme that the duke of yorke and his felyshyppe vnderstonde / that the kyng was departed wyth the lordes from London / anone he chaunged hys way / & costed the coū ­tre and came to saynt Albons the .xxiii. daye of May. & there mette with the kyng to whom the kyng sent certayne lordes / & desyred them to kepe the peas / and departe: But in conclu­syon why [...]e they treated on that one syde / the erle of warwyk with the Marche men & other entred in to the twone on that other syde / and fought ayenst the kynge and his party / and so began the batayll and fyghtinge whiche endured a greate whyle / But in conclusyon the du­ke of yorke obteyned. and had the vyctory of y^e Iourneye / In whyche was slayne the duke of Somerset / the erle of Northumberlonde. the lorde Clyfforde. and many kynghtes and squyres / and many moo hurte / And on the morne after they brought the kynge in grete astate to London / whyche was lodged in the bysshops palays of London. And anone after was a grete parlemēt at London / in whiche parlement the duke of yerke. was made protectour of Englōde / & the erle of warwyk Capytayne of Calays / the erle of Salysbury Chaunceler of Englonde. And all suche persones as had the rule before aboute the kynge were set a parte / and myght not rule as they dyd before. ¶And this same yere deyed pope Nycholas y^e fyfte. & after hym was Calixt the thyrde. This Calixt was a Catalane / & the actes of hym shal be shewed here after folowynge· ¶In this same yere fell a grete affraye in Lōdon ayēst the Lūbardes. the cause begā / bycause a yonge man toke a dager frome a Lūbarde & brake it. wherfore the yōge mā on the morne was sēte fore to come before the Mayer & the aldermē & there for offēce He was cōmytted to warde. And thēne y^e mayer departed fro the yelde halle / for to goo home to his dyner But in Chepe the yonge mē Mercerye for the moost partye prentyses. helde the Mayre & the Shyrefs styl in Chepe. And wolde not suffre theym to departe / vnto the tyme that theyr felowe / whyche was commytted to war­de / were delyuered / and so by force they resco­wed theyr felowe from pryson. And that done the Mayre departed and the Shrefes also. and the prysoner deliuered. whiche yf he had be put to pryson. He had be in Ieoperdye of his lyfe. And thene began a rumoure in the cyte ayenst the Lōbardes. And the same euenynge y^e hond crafty men of the towne arose / and rāne to the Lumbardes houses and dyspoyled and robbed dyuers of them. wherfore the Mayre and the Aldermen came with the honest people of the cyte. And droue them thens / and sente some of theym that had stolen to Newgate. ¶And the yonge man was rescowed by his felowes / sa­we this greate rumoure. affraye & robbed / en­sewed / of hys fyrste meuynge to the Lumbar­de / departyd and wente to westmynster to sa­ynt wary. Or elles it hadde coste hym hys lyfe. For anone after came downe an Oyer deter­myne. for to do Iustyce on all theym that so rebelled in the Cytee ayenste the Lumbardes / On whyche satte wyth the Mayre that tyme wyllyam Marowe / the duke of Bokyngham And many other lordes / to se execucyon done / But the comynes of the Cytee secretely made them redy and dyde arme them in theyr how­ses and were in purpoos to haue rongen the comyne belle / whiche is called bowe belle but they lete by syde men / whiche came to y^e knowlege of the duke of Bokyngham and other lor­des. ¶And in contynente they arose / for they durste noo lenger abyde / for they dowted that the hole Cyte sholde haue rysen ayenst theym. But yet neuerthels two or thre of the cyte were [Page cxxvi] Iuged to dethe for this robbery / were han­gyd at Tyborne ¶And anone after the kynge & the quene / & other lordes rode to Couētre and withdrewe theym fro London. for this cause. And a lytyll before the duke of yorke was sent for to grenewych. And there was dyschargyd of the protectourshyppe. And the erle of Salysbury of his Chaūchelershyppe. And after thys they were sente fore by preuy seale for to come to Couētre where they were almoost disceyued & the Erle of warwyke also and shold haue ben dystroyed yf they had not seen well to. ¶How the lorde Egremōde was take by y^e Erle of Salysbury sōes / & of y^e robbynge of Sandwytche

THis yere were taken four grete fysshes bytwene Ereth & london that one was called Mors Maryne / the seconde was a swerde fysshe & the other two were whalys. In this same yere / for certayne affrayes done ī the nor­the coūtre bytwene lord Egremōde & the erle of Salysbury sones. y^e sayd lord Egremond whō they had cōdempned in a grete som̄e of money to y^e sayd Erle of Salysbury. & therfore he was cōmytted into pryson in Newegate in London where whan he had be a certayne space he brake the pryson / & thre prysoners with hym / & escaped & wēt his waye. Also this yere the erle of warwyk & his wyf wēt to Calays with a fayre felisshyp & toke possessyon of his offyce. about this tyme was grete reformacōn of many mo­nesteryes of relygyō in dyuerse partyes of the worlde wiche were refourmed after the fyrst Instytutycyon and cōtynued in many places ¶This same yere was a greate batayll in the Marches bytwene the londe of Hūgry & Tur­key. at a place is called Septedrad where Innumerable Turkes were slayne / more bi myracle than̄e by mānes honde / for oonly the honde of god smote theym / saynt Iohan of Capystrane was there presēce. & prouokyd the cristē people beynge thēne aferde for to pursue after y^e Turkys where an Infynyte multytude were slayne & dystryed & the Turkys sayd / y^t a grete nōbre of armyd mē folowed thē that they were aferde to turne ayen & they were holy angelles. This same yere the prysoners of Newgate in Londō brake theyr pryson / & went vpon the sedes and fought ayēst theym of the Cytee / & kepe the gate a longe whyle / But att the laste the towne gate the pryson be theym. And then̄e they were sore punysshed in ensample of other. ¶In this yere also there was a grete erthquake in Na­ples / in so moche that there perysshed .xl. thou­sande people that sanke there in to the erthe. ¶Also in the .xxxvi. yere saynt Osmonde sōtyme bysshop of Salysbury was canonysed att Rome by pope Calyst. & the .x daye of Iuly he was translated at Salysbury by the bisshop of Caūterbury & many other bysshoppes. ¶And in August after syr Pers de brasay seneschal of normādye / with the Capytayne of Depe & many other Capytayns / and mē of werre went to thee see with a greate Nauy. and into the downes by nyght. And on the more erly before day they londed at Sandwytche / bothe bi lōde and water / and toke the towne / and ryfled & dispoyled it / And toke many prysoners. and lefte the towne all bare / whyche was a ryche place and moche good therin / And ladde wyth them many ryche prysoners / In this same yere in ma­ny places of Fraunce Almayne / Flaunders Holonde and zeelonde / chyldren gadred theym togyder by greate companyes / For to goo on pylgrymage to saynt Myghels moūte in Normādye / whiche came fro ferre coūtrees wherof the people merueyled. And many supposed that some wyckyd spyryte meued them to doo so. but it dured not longe by cause of the longe waye and also for lac / of vytaylle as they wente. ¶In this yere Reynolde Pecok bysshop of Chestre / was founde an herytyke / and the thyrde day of Decembre was endu [...]ed at Lambeth in presence of the Archebysshop of Caunter­bury and many other bysshoppes doctours & lordes temporall / and h [...]s bokes brent att Poules crosse. ¶And ye haue herde before how certayne lordes were slayne atte Saynt Albons / wherfore was alwaye a grutchynge / & wrath hadde by the heyres of them that soo were slay­ne ayenst the duke of yorke / the Erles of wa [...] ­wyk and of Salysbury / wherfore the kyng by the aduys of his counseyll sente for theym vn­to London to whyche place the duke of yorke came the .xxvi. daye of Ianueri with four honderd men and lodged hym atte Baynerdes castell in hys owne place. ¶And the .iv. daye of Ianuer came the erle of Salysbury with fyue hundred men and was lodged in therber of his owne place. ¶And then̄e came the duke of Excetre and of Somerset with .viii.C. men / and laye withoute temple barre. ¶And the erle of Northumberlonde / and the lorde Egremonde [Page] the lorde Clyfforde wyth .xv. hundred men / & lodged without the towne. ¶And the Mayer that tyme Geffraye Boloyne / kept grete wat­che with the comyns of the cyte / & rode about the cytee by Holborne and Fletestrete / with a .v. thousand men well arayed and armyd. for to kepe the peas / ¶And the .xiiii. daye of Feuerer the erle of warwyke came to London / fro Calays well beseen and worshypfully with .v hundred men In red Iakettes broudred wyth a ragged staffe behynde & before. and was lod­ged at the graye freres / ¶And the .xv. daye of Marche the kynge came to London and the quene. And ther was accorded and peas made amonge the lordes / and they were sette in pe­as. And on our lady daye the xxv. daye of Marche. in the yere of oure lorde .M.CCCC.lviii· the kynge & the quene & all the lordes went on processyon at Poules in London. & anone af­ter the kyng & the lordes departed. & in this ye­re was a grete fraye in Fletstrete bytwene mē of courte & men of the same strete. In whyche fayre the quenes Attourney was slayne

¶Howe the kynges housholde made a fraye ayenste the Erle of warwyke / and of the Iourneye at bloreheth.

ALso this same yere as the Erle of war­wyk was at counseyll at westmynster alle the kynges housholde meny gadred them togyder / for to haue slayne the sayde erle. But by the helpe of god & his frendes he recouered his barge / and escapyd theyr euyll enterpryse / how well the cokes came rennynge oute wyth spytes and pestels ayneh hym. And the same daye he rode to wardes werwyk and soone af­ter he gate hym a commyssyon / and went ouer the see to warde Calays. ¶Soone after thys therle of Salysbury comynge to Lōdon / was encoūtred at Bloreheth which the lord Audley. And moche other people ordeyned to dystroy hym But he hauynge knowlege that he shold be met wyth was accōpanyed with hys two sones syr Thomas & syr Iohn̄ Neuell / & a grete felyshyp of goodmen. And so they faught togyder / where the erle of Salysbury wanne y^e fel­de / And the lorde Audley was slayne / & many gentylmen of Chesshyre. & moche people hurt And the erles two sones were hurte. & goynge homewarde afterwarde they were taken / and hadde to Chestre by the quenes menye. ¶After Calixt Pius was pope / & was chase this yere .M.CCCC.lvlii· & he was callyd be­fore Eneas an eloquēte man / & a poete laurea­te. He was embassatour of y^e Emperours before tyme. And he wrote in y^e coūseyl of Basyle a noble treatyse for thactoryte of y^e same / Also he canonysed saynte Katheryne of Senys / Thys pope ordeyned grete Indulgēce & pardonne to theym that wolde go & werre ayēst the Turke / & wrote a pystle to the greate Turke / exhortyn­ge hym to become Crysten. And in thend he or­deyned a passage ayēst the Turke at Ankon. to whiche moche people drewe out all partyes of cristēdome / of the whiche people he sente many home ayen by cause they suffyced not / & anone after he dyed at the sayd Ankō / the yere of our lord .M.CCCC.lxiii. the .xiiii. daye of August.

¶How Andrewe Trollop & the souldyours of Calays forsoke y^e duke of yorke & theyr mayster therle of warwyk in the weste countre.

THe duke of yorke / the erles of warwyk and of Salysbury / sawe the gouernaū ce of the reame stode moost by the quene & hyr counseyll / & how the grete prynces of the londe were not callyd to counseyl but set a parte. and not only soo / but it was sayd thrugh the reame tho sayd lordes sholde be dystroyed as it open­ly was shewed at Blorehethe by them y^t wolde haue slayne the erle of Salysbury. Thenne for sauacyon of theyr lyues / & also for the comynwele of the reame thought for to remedy thyse thynges assembled them togyder with moche people / and toke a felde in the west countre to whiche the erle of warwyk came fro Calays / with many of the olde Souldeyours as Andrē we Trollop and other / in whose wysdome / as for y^e werre he trustyd moche vpon And whan they were thus assembled and made theyr fel­de. the kynge sente out commyssyons & preuy seales vnto all the lordes of his reame to come and wayte on hym in theyr moost beste defensable araye / And so euery man came in suche wyse. that the kynge was stronger / and hadde more▪ peple than the duke of yorke and therles of warwyk & of Salysbury. for it is here to be notyd that euery lorde in Englonde at this ty­me / durst not dysobeye the quene / so she rulyd peasybly all that was done abowte the kynge whiche was a good and a well dysposed man. And thenne whan the kynge was come to the place where they were / the duke of yorke & hys felysshyp made theyr felde in the strongest wyse [Page cxxvii] / & purposyd verely to abyde & haue fouȝte / But in the nyghte Andrewe Trollop & all the olde soudyours of Calays wyth a greate fely­shyp / sodeynly departyd out of the dukes host. And wente strayte vnto the kynges felde / whe­re they were receiued Ioyously. for they knewe thentent of thother lordes / & also the maner of theyr felde. And then the duke of yorke with the other lordes. seynge thē dysceued / toke a coun­seylle shortly in that same nyght. & departed frome the felde leuynge behynde thē the moost partye of theyr people too kepe the felde tyl on the morowe / Then the duke of yorke with his secō de sone departyd thrugh wales towarde Irlonde / Leuynge his eldest sone the erle of Marche with the erles of werwyk & of Salysbury. whiche rode togyder wyth thre or foure persones strayght into Deuenshyre. & there by helpe & ayde of one Denham / gate a shyp whiche cost a .xi score nobles / & wyth the same shyp sayled fro thens in to Gernesey & there refresshed theym / & frome thens sayled to Calays. where they were receyued in to the castel by y^e postern̄ / or they of y^e towne wyst of it / And the duke of yorke toke shypynge in walys. & sayled ouer in to Irlonde where he was well receyued.

¶How the erles of Marche warwyk & of Salysbury entred in to Calays & how the erle of warwyk wence in to Irlonde.

THen kynge Henry wyth his host in the felde / not knowynge of this sodeyne departynge / on the morowe foūde none in the felde of the sayd lordes. sent out in all the hast mē for to folowe and pursue after to take thē / but they mette not with thē as god wolde. And thē the kynge wēt to Ludlowe & dyspoyled y^e castel & the towne. And sēte the duchesse of yorke and hyr chyldrē to the duchesse of Bokyngham hyr syster / where she was kepte longe tyme after / And forth with the kynge ordeyned the duke of Somerset / to be Capytayne of Calays & thyse of other lordes so departed / as afore is sayd. were preclamyd rebelles & grete traytours. Then the duke of Somerset tooke to hym al the sou­dyours that departed fro the felde and made hȳ redy in all the haste / for to go to Calays. & take possessyon of his offyce / And whan he came he founde therle of warwyk therin as Capytayne & the erles of Marche & of Salysbury also / and then̄e he londed by Scalys & wēt to gyues and there he was receyued / And it fortuned that so­me of tho shyppes that came ouer with hym. came in to Calays hauē by theyr fre wyll / for the shypmē ought more fauour to the erle of war­wyk thā to the duke of Somerset / & in whyche shyppes were take dyuerse mē / as Ienyn Fyn­kyll Iohan felowe Kaylles & Purser / whiche were beheded soone after in Calays. and after this came mē dayly ouer y^e see to thyse lordes to calays / & began for to wexe strōger. & they borowed moche gode of the Staple / & on that other syde the duke of Somerset beynge in Gynes gate people to hym whiche came out and scarmy­sshed with theym of Calays / & they of Calays with the whiche endured many daies [...]ucyng moche people came ouer dayly vnto thise lordes ¶Thē on a tyme by thaduys and coūseylle of the lordes att Calays sente ouer mayster Den­ham with a greate felyshyp to Sandwhyche / whiche tooke the towne & therin the lorde Ry­uers & the lorde S [...]alys his sone / & toke many shyppes in the hauen / and broughte them all to calays wyth whiche shyppes many maryners of ther fre wyl / came to calays / to serue the Erle of warwyk. And after the Erle of warwyke by the aduys of the lordes. tooke all his shyppes and manned theym well and saylled hymselfe in to Irlonde. for to speke wyth the duke of yorke / and tooke his aduys how they sholde entre in to Englonde. And whan that he had be the­re and done hys erandes / he retorned ayen to­wardes Calays / and broughte with hym his moder the countesse of Salysbury. And comynge in the west countree on y^e see the duke of Excetre Admyral of Englond beynge in the grace of du. accōpanyed with many shyppꝭ of warre met with y^e erle of warwyk & hys flete. but they faught not for the substaūce of y^e peple beynge with the duke of Excetre. ought better wyll & fauour to y^e erle of warwyk thā to hym / & they departed and came to calays in sauf [...]e. ¶Thē the kynges coūseyll seynge y^t thyse lordꝭ had goten those shyppes fro Sandwytche. & taken the lorde Ryuers & his sone ordeyned a garyson at Sandwytche to abyde & kepe the towne. & ma­de one moūtforde capitayne of y^e towne / & that no man vytayll / ne marchaūt. y^t shold go to flaunders / shold go to calays. Thē they of calays seyenge this made Denham / & many other to go to Sandwytche & assayled y^e towne by londe & by water & gate ix. And brought the Capytayne ouer see and smote of hys heed / And yet [Page] [...] [Page cxxvii] [...] [Page] daylymen came ouer to theim fro all partyes.

¶How the Erle of Marche & of warwyke and of Salysbury entred in to Englōd & of y^e feld of Northāptō where dyuerse lordes were slayne.

ANd after thys the forsayd erles of marche warwyke & Salysbury came ouer to Douer with moche people & there londed to whome all the coūtre drewe & came to Lōdon all armyd / and for to lete lordes of the kynges counsell knowe theyr truth & also theyr entente / assembled theym. and tolde them / that they entended no harme to y^e kynges persone / sauf that they wolde put from hym suche persones as were aboute hym. And soo departed frome London wyth a greate puyssaunce towarde Northampton / where the kynge was accom­panyed with many lordes / and made a stron­ge felde withoute the towne / And there bothe partyes met. and was fought a greate batayll In whyche batayll were slayne the duke of bo­kyngham & therle of Shrewesbury / y^e vycoūt Beamonde / the lorde Egremonde / and many other knyghtes and squyres / and othere also / and the kynge hymself was taken in the felde And after warde broughte to London / And a­none after was a parlement at westm̄. duryng whyche parlyament y^e duke of yorke came out of Irlonde. wyth the Erle of Rutlande. rydynge wyth a grete felyshyp in to the palays / & co­me in to the parlyament chambre & there toke the kynges place / and claymed the crowne as his propre enherytaunce and ryght and Caste forth in wryttynge his tytele. and also how he was ryghtfull heyre / wherfore was moche to do / but in conclusyon yt was appoynted / and concluded. that kinge Henry sholde regne and be kynge / durynge his natural lyfe For as moche as he hadde be kynge so longe / & was possessyd & aft his dethe the duke of yorke shold be kynge / and hys heyers kynges after hym \ and forth with sholde be ꝓclamed heyre apparaūt and shold also be protector and regence of englonde duryng y^e kynges lyfe wyth many other thyngꝭ ordeyned in the same parliment and yf kynge Henry durynge hys lyfe / wence frome thys poyntement or ony artycle concludyd in the sayd paylyament he sholde be deposed / and the duke sholde take the crowne / and be kynge all whyche thynges were enacted by thaucto­ryte of the same / at whiche parlyament the comyn [...] of the reame beyng assembled in the co­myn hons / cōmynyng and treatyng vpon the tytle of the forsayd duke of yorke / sodenly feldone the crowne. whiche henge thenne in the middes of the sayde hous whiche is the frayter of y^e abbaye of westm̄. whiche was takē for a prodice or tokē. that the regne of kynge Henry was endyd ¶And also the crowne whiche stode on the hyghest toure of the styple in the castel of douer / fell downe this same yere.

¶How the duke of yorke was slayne and of the felde of wakefelde. & of the seconde Iourneye at saynt albōs by y^e quenē & the prince.

BIcause the quene wyth the Prynce her sone / was in the northe and absent her fro the kynge. and obeyed not suche thyngꝭ concluded in the parlement / was ordeyned that y^e duke of yorke as ꝓtector / shold go north ward to brynge in the quene / & subdue suche as wol­ne not obey / wyth whome wente the erle of sa­lysbury. Syr Thomas Neuyll hys sone with moche people / And at wakefelde in Crystmas weke. they were ouerthrowe and slayne by lor­des of the quenes party that is to wyte / the duke of yorke was slayne. the erle of Rotlonde syr Thomas Neuyll. and many moo / & the Eerle of Salysbury was take and other· As Iohan horowe of london capytayne and Ruler of the fotmen and Haūson of hull whiche were brought to poūfret. and there be heeded / & there heedes sente to yorke / & sette vpon the yates / And thus was the noble prynce slayne / the duke off yorke / on whos soule god haue Mercy / & thys tyme therle of Marche beyng in Shorwesbu­ry / herynge the deth of his fader / desyred ayde of the towne to auenge his faders dethe / & frothens wente to walys. and at Candelmasse after he had a battayll at Martymers Crosse. a­yenste therle of Penbroke & of wylshyre where the erle of marche had the vyctorye / Then the quene with those lordes of the north after that they had dystressyd and slayne the duke of yor­ke and his felysshyp. came south warde with a grete multytude of people / for too come to the kynge and defecte suche conclusyons as had be take before by the parlyamēt / ayenst whos comyng the duke of Northfolke. y^e erle of warwyeke. wyth moche people & ordynaunce / wente to saynt albons. & ladde kynge Henry wyth theym / & there encoūtred to gyder in suche wyse, and faught so that the duke of Northfolke & Therle of werwyke / wyth many other of ther [Page cxxviii] party [...]edde & loste that Iourneye. where that kynge Hēry was takē with the quene & prynce Edwarde his sone. whiche two had got on that felde. The quene & hyr partye beynge at her a­boue. sēte anone to Lōdon / whyche was on an Asshe wenesdaye the fyrst daye of lente for vy­tayl. ¶For whiche the Mayre ordeyned bi thaduys of the aldermē y^e certen cartes lade wyth vytayll sholde be sente to saynt Albons to thē. & whā tho cartes came to Crepell yate / y^e comīs of the Cyte that kept y^e gate. toke the vytayles fro the cartes and wolde not suffre it to passe. Thēne were there certayn Aldermē & comyns apoynted too goo vnto bernet / to speke wyth y^e quenes cōseyll to entreate y^u the northren men sholde bee sente home ayen / in to theyr contree. for the cyte of London drad to be dyspoyled yf they had come. And duryng this treatyse / ty­dynges came. that the erle of warwyk had met with the Erle of Marche on Cotteswolde co­myng oute of walys wyth a greate menye of welsshemē and that they bothe were comynge vnto Lōdon warde / Anone as these tytynges were knowe. the tratyse was broke for the kynge / Quene Prynce / & the other lordes that we­re with theym departed fro saynt Albōs north ward with al ther people / yet or they departed thens they beheeded that lorde Bonuyll & Syr Thomas Kryell. whiche were takē in the Iourney done on shrewe toursdaye. ¶Thenne the Duchesse of yorke beyng at london. herynge of the losse of the felde of saynt Albons. sente ouersee hyr twoo yonge sones George & Rycharde / whiche wente to Vtrech. and Phylyp malpas a ryche marchaūt of Londō Thomas vaghan Squyre. mayster wyllyam Ha [...]clyf and many other / ferynge of the comynge of the quene to London / toke a shyp at Anwerpe to haue gone in to zelande / & on that other coste / were taken of one Colompne a Fransshman / a shyppe of werre. And he toke theym prysoners & brough­te [...] them in to fraunce / where they payed grete good for theyr raunson / and there was greate goode & rychesse in that shyppe.

¶Of the deposinge of kynge Hēry the sixte & how kynge Edwarde the fourth tooke possessyō ▪ and of the batayll on Palm sondaye. and how he was crowned.

THen whan the Erle of warwyke hadde wette to gader on Cot [...]yswolde / in contynent they concludyd to go to london. and sente worde anone te y^e Mayre & to the Cytie that they wolde come / & anone y^e cytie was gladde of theyr comynge / hopynge to be releuyd bi thē & so they came too / london / & whā they were come & had spoke with the lordes & estates beyn­ge there. cōcluded for as moche as kynge Hēry was gone with thē north warde. that he hadde forfeyted his crowne & ought to be deposed ac­cordyng vnto y^e actes made passyd in the laste parlemēt And so by the aduys of y^e lordes spyrytuall & tēporall / thenne beyng at london. the er of Marche Edwarde by the grace of god / eldest sone of the duke Rychard of yorke. As ryght­full heyre. and nexte enherytour to his fader the fourth daye of Marche / the yere of our Lorde god .M.CCCC.lix. toke possessyon of the Reame / at westm̄. in the chyrche of the abbaye and offred as a kynge wyth y^e ceptre ryall. To whome all the lordes spyrytuall and temporall dyd homage. as to theyr souerayn lorde and Kyng And forth wyth it was proclaymed thrugh the Cyte kynge Edwarde the fourthe by name / & anone after the Kynge rode in his ryalle estate north warde wyth all hys lordes to subdue his subyectis that tyme beynge in the northe. & for to auenge his faders deth. And on Palme sondaye after he had a grete bataylle in the northe coūtree at a place called Towcon not fer from yorke / where wyth the helpe of god he gate the felde and hadde the vyctorye wher were slayn of his aduersaryes .xxx. thousāde mē and moo as it was sayde by theym that were there [...] In whiche batayll was slayne the Erle of North thumberlande. the lorde Cly [...]orde syr Iohan Neuyll the Erle of westmerlondes brother an­drewe Trollop. and many knyghtes & squers ¶Thenne Kynge Henry that had be kyng [...] beynge wyth the quene and the prynce att yorke herynge the losse of that felde. And so moche peple slayne and ouerthrowe / anone forthe with departed all thre wyth the duke of Somerset the lorde Roos. and other towarde Scotlande And the nexte daye after kynge Edward with all his armye entred in to yorke / and was ther proclaymyd kynge and obeyed as he ought too be. And the Mayre and comyns swore to be his lyegemen. and whan they had taryed a whyle in the northe & that all the north and that al the north countree had torned to hym he retorned south warde. leuynge behynde hym the erle of werwyk in tho partyes to gouerne & rule that [Page] countre And aboute Mydsomer after / the yere of our lorde .M.cccc.lx. & the fyrste yere of hys regne he was crowned att westm̄ / & anoynted kīge of englōde hauyng possessyō of al y^e reame

CAlyxtus y^e thyrde was pope after Nycholas thre yere & v. monethes. this Calyxte was an olde mā whā he was chose pope. & was cōtynually seke / ne he myght not fulfyll his de­syre. which he entēded to do ayēst y^e turkys / for deth came vpō hym. & he was chose in y^e yere of our lord .M.cccc.lv. & he deyed y^e .vi. daye & he made y^e fyguracyō. also he canonysed saynt vī cēt / a frere precher / & ther was a grete reformacyō of many monasteryes of y^e worlde / & those reformacyons were made many tymes. but all most none abode. but y^e retorned ayen home. by successyō of tyme / after y^e dethe of the worshypfull faders· y^e feste of the Transfiguracyō was ordeyned of Calyxt for y^e yefte of grace of y^e merueylous vyctory done ayēst the Turke in Hū gary on saynt Syxtus day .M.CCCC.lvii. For there was a merueylous vyctory yeue to y^e Crystē mē in Hungary ayēst the greate Turke & there he loste many a mā & fledde shāfully for drede of enemyes. & noman folowed hym / but alone y^e hōde of god feryd y^e Turke & his hoost on saynt Calyxte daye saynt Iohn̄ de Caprys­trano was there seen presēt. & he prouoked the people y^t were aferde to folow the mysbeleuīge Turkes & there fell a grete vēgeaūce on theym for the Turkes sayd / y^t there was so grete a nō bre of knyghtes that folowed thē. That vnne­the they durste looke bacwarde. & therfore they fledde. & lefte al ther tresour behynde thē. & they were angelles that caused theym to flee. Nota

PRynters of bookes were myghtely multyplyed in Maguncie. & thrughoute the worlde & there began fyrste· & there helde theyr craftes. & thys tyme myny mē begā to be more subtyll in craftes & swyterf thā euer they were afore

PIus the secōde was pope after Calyxt .vi. yere. Thys pius was chose ī y^e yere of our lorde .M.CCCC.lviii. & he was called Eneas an eloquēt man a grete oratour a laureate poete. and in the coūseyll of Basyle he wrote a noble tretyse for thattoryte of y^e same This mā desyred to haue a passage to the Turke & moche people of dyuerse countres came to Rome. & he yaue theym his blessynge and sente theym home ayē for they were not sufficiēt for the Turkes hoste & anone after he decessyd.

POules a venetiā was pope after Pyus vii. yere. This poule was chose in the ye yere of our lorde .M.cccc.lxiiii. And anone he halowed y^e feste of the presentacyō of our lady. as pius dyd This mā was a toughmā in ryght wysnes & he sayd it was bett to make fewe thinges. and make them stedfastly than for to make many. & sone reuoke thē. And he mad a grete pallays at saynt Markys and he decessed or he had ended it in y^e yere of our lorde M.cccc.lxxi. ¶Leodin̄ y^e londe of luke was oppressed with many trybulacyons. & after in the yere of our lorde .M.cccc.lxviii. vterly it was distroyed bi Carolū y^e duke of Bourgoyn. that whiche wedded dame Margarete syster to kynge Edwar­de the forth of Englonde. Also the same karolū entred in the londe of Gelder. and conquyred it hooly. The yere of grace also was chaunged by pope Poule for fauoure of mānys soule frome .xxv. yere to .xxv. yere. And by case y^e cursydnesse aboūded so sore. grea [...]e aboūded also sore.

SIxtus the fourth a Iohannes. & a frere minor was pope after paule. This mā was geneall in y^e ordre of y^e frere mynors or he was Cardynal. And he was chosē in y^e yere of our lorde .M.cccc.lxxi. And was called Frācis­cus de Sanona. of good fame and vertuost He was chosē Cardynall wythout his Knowlege tyll he was made. & y^e same yere y^t he was chosē pope. The turke had takē fro me cristē mē two empyres. & four kyngdomes .xx. prouīces. and two hūdred cytyes· & had destroyed mē & wym­mē without nōbre. And y^e meuyd the pope y^t he sholde dyspose hym to goo to wythstonde hym. And for an armye to be made ayenst the Turke y^e pope gaue grete Indulgentes of pardon of y^e tresori of the cyrche vnto all crystē reames. y^t he myght ordeyne some tresore. to with­stande y^e mysbeleued Turke. And in the lōde of Englonde / Iohn̄ abbot of Abyngdon was the popes legate. to dyspose this goodli tresoure. of y^e chyrche to euery feythful mā. y^t was disposed and that wolde able hym to receyue it.